--- title: "USAF F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After Allegedly Being Hit by Iranian Fire" description: "A U.S. Air Force [F-35A]() fighter was forced to divert from a combat mission over Iran and make an emergency landing at an undisclosed U.S. airbase in the Middle East, the Pentagon has confirmed to *TWZ*. At this stage, details…" date: "2026-03-19" modified: "2026-03-19" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" - name: "Howard Altman" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-f-35-makes-emergency-landing-after-allegedly-being-hit-by-iranian-fire" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "F-35" - "F-35A" - "F-35B" - "Fighters" - "Iran" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" - "Stealth" --- # USAF F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After Allegedly Being Hit by Iranian Fire ![F-35 made emergency landing after Iran claims it struck one with a SAM.]() *Iranian State Media Screencap via X* A U.S. Air Force [F-35A]() fighter was forced to divert from a combat mission over Iran and make an emergency landing at an undisclosed U.S. airbase in the Middle East, the Pentagon has confirmed to *TWZ*. At this stage, details of the incident are very scarce, but there are meanwhile unconfirmed reports, and a video, suggesting that the jet was struck by Iranian fire. The video in question, if true, indicates a system was used that we have repeatedly highlighted as a top threat to allied aircraft, including stealthy ones, operating over Iran. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told *TWZ* that the F-35 was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing. ![A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 26, 2025. The rapid deployment of fifth-generation aircraft to the region further exemplifies the U.S. and Coalition's ability to adjust force postures to counter any adversary act or threat of aggression. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)]() *A U.S. Air Force F-35A over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. *U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske* Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske* “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.” The U.S. Air Force has deployed [F-35As]() from multiple units in support of Operation Epic Fury, while carrier-capable [F-35C]() versions from the U.S. Marine Corps have been operating from the [supercarrier USS *Abraham Lincoln*](). Hawkins confirmed to us that a U.S. Air Force jet was involved. https://twitter.com/ianellisjones/status/2031391750925754828?s=20 The Israeli Air Force additionally operates a version of the jet, the [F-35I Adir](), which has also been used in combat against Iran. According to a [report]() from *CNN*, which cites two unnamed sources familiar with the matter, it is thought that the F-35 may have been hit by Iranian fire. Hawkins declined to comment to *TWZ* about whether the aircraft was hit by hostile fire. There have been reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released the video below, which claims to show the F-35 being hit over Iran, as seen through a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system, but this cannot be independently verified. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/2034663557413937479?s=20 As far as we know, there have been no previous confirmed incidents of U.S. aircraft having been struck by Iranian air defenses since the conflict began at the end of last month. Three U.S. Air Force [F-15E Strike Eagles]() were lost, but these fell to [Kuwaiti friendly fire]() in an incident that [remains puzzling](). At the same time, some kind of friendly-fire incident cannot be ruled out on this occasion, too. ![]() *A U.S. Air Force F-15E flying an Epic Fury mission. *U.S. Central Command** Meanwhile, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker that was taking part in Epic Fury [crashed in Iraq](), for reasons that remain unclear. As we have [discussed in our previous reporting](), the skies of the Middle East are far from completely safe for U.S. and Israeli air operations. An Israeli Air Force fighter was “almost shot down” over Iran, early on in the conflict, *The Times of Israel* has [reported](), citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to the IDF, an attempt was made to shoot down the jet, and it was “close to being hit.” The Israeli military further claims that the attempted shootdown “failed due to the alertness and professionalism of the pilot,” the military says, adding that the sortie “was completed successfully.” For all the defense-suppression missions that have been flown, Iran still possesses road-mobile air defenses as well as [more exotic types]() that can pop up virtually anywhere and give aircrews very little time to react. These systems can be easily hidden and will remain a threat on the battlefield long after static air defenses are destroyed. Beyond that, there are [man-portable air defense systems]() (MANPADS), which, while less of a menace in terms of outright performance and engagement envelopes, are impossible to entirely remove from the battlespace. The reality is that, even for the F-35, there are risks, especially as the air campaign moves more toward direct attacks, bringing aircraft closer to potential threats. While the U.S. has *claimed* air supremacy over Iran, it certainly does not yet possess it across the entire country. https://twitter.com/Aviation\_Intel/status/2029362517894676937?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2029362517894676937%7Ctwgr%5E8db9b3b82598f189ece175b8a158a625113470d8%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fnews-features%2Fthe-misconception-that-air-supremacy-has-been-achieved-over-iran As we [pointed out in our recent analysis](): *Moving to a direct attack-focused campaign comes with new risks. This is especially true when it comes to facing road-mobile air defenses and [more exotic types]() that can pop up virtually anywhere and give aircrews very little time to react. These systems can be hidden pretty much anywhere and will be present on the battlefield long after fixed air defenses are completely destroyed. Electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) surface-to-air missile systems are especially vexing, as U.S. fourth-generation fighter aircraft would have no idea they were being attacked until they are struck, unless they visibly see the missile launch and head their way. These aircraft lack missile approach warning systems. The F-22 and F-35 benefit from different versions of this capability. EO/IR SAM systems are also not affected by radiofrequency jamming, unless they use a radar for initial targeting.* Speaking today, Gen. Dan ​Caine, ​the ⁠chairman of the Joint ​Chiefs of ​Staff, ⁠told reporters: “We’re flying further to the east now and penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace to hunt and kill one-way attack drone garrisons, destroying Iran’s ability to project power outside of its borders.” Flying further east in Iran brings more threats, compared to the more-sanitized airspace in the west. Again, as we warned in the past: *Underestimating Iran’s ability to target and destroy coalition aircraft would be a perilous move. Even the [improvised systems cobbled together]() by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, as well as [their hodgepodge of other air defenses](), have taken their toll on advanced fighter aircraft operated by Gulf Arab states and [challenged even the most advanced fighters]() in the U.S. inventory. Iran’s capabilities, even in a deeply degraded state, far exceed those of the Houthis.* U.S.-operated F-35s have, at times, run the gauntlet against the relatively primitive air defense threat offered by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Iran. Last year, [a U.S. official told *TW*Z]() that one of the stealth fighters had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid being hit by Houthi surface-to-air missiles. “They got close enough that the \[F-35\] had to maneuver,” the official said. Meanwhile, an Air Force F-16 pilot was [awarded the Silver Star Medal]() after dodging *multiple* surface-to-air missiles during operations against the Houthi rebels. In fact, as you can read about [here](), the particular nature of Houthi air defenses appears to have prompted [an increase in the use of stealthy aircraft]() like the F-35, in turn, exposing them to unconventional threats. If the same thing may now have happened in Iran, it should hardly come as a surprise. Provided that the published video of the claimed shootdown is the real deal, that would point to the real possibility that the jet was targeted by a passive sensor, the same kind we repeatedly warned about. The footage looks very similar to that showing [Houthi air defense equipment of this kind]() in action. As we noted in our analysis posted earlier in this story, passive systems can give off no radio emissions, making them especially hazardous to aircrew. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1913320694319919302?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1913320694319919302%7Ctwgr%5E0e879da459341adb3617cf816c24c978a0d3fdd4%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fnews-features%2Fwhat-air-defenses-do-the-houthis-in-yemen-actually-have It should be recalled that, at this point, we are still awaiting confirmation on exactly what led the F-35A to declare an emergency. *TWZ* continues to reach out to CENTCOM for more details about the incident. *We will continue to update this developing story.* *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()