Leaked footage showed an F-35 fighter plane crash-landing on a US carrier.
Five US Navy sailors have been charged with leaking footage of a fighter jet colliding with an aircraft carrier south-of China. This was in January.
Three chief petty officers, an ensign, and a senior chief were charged each for violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Navy confirmed the charges to media outlets Friday but declined to name them.
“The investigation into the unauthorized release of the shipboard video footage has concluded,”In a statement Commander Zach Harrell, spokesman for Naval Air Forces said that sailors were being charged with failing to follow a lawful order.
On January 24, a US Navy F-35C crashed-landed on the deck at the Deck of the USS Carl Vinsonunidentified South China Sea location. While six sailors were injured as the plane skidded off the ship’s deck, the pilot was able to eject safely.
Photos of the crash started to circulate on the internet within days. photoThe damaged jet is seen floating in the ocean. brief videoThe F-35 approaching for landing. The particular footage linked to the charges was the most recent to surface on social media – first appearing on February 6, according Military.com – though the Navy spokesman said no charges will be filed for the first two leaks.
“That was the determination made by the commanding officer of the USS Carl Vinson based upon the findings of the respective investigations,”He spoke out about the decision to not punish previous unauthorized leaks.
USNI News was further informed by a military spokesperson that the latest leak had been considered “a government document released without being properly cleared,”While the images from other angles were handled differently, they are still as originals. “a personal device.”
While the Navy confirms the authenticity and images that circulated online, it has not provided any further details. “recovery operations arrangements”In late January, plans were underway to provide support for the dying fighter.
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F-35 Jets were grounded following a crash-landing
The US military’s latest multi-purpose fighter jet, the F-35 has seen a long series of problems throughout its lifetime, including development delays, cost overruns and equipment malfunctions. Earlier this year, South Korea – one among several nations to purchase the plane – was forced to ground its entire F-35 fleet after a landing gear fault resulted in a belly-landing at a Korean airbase. The UK also operated an F-35 that crashed in the Mediterranean Sea as it tried takeoff from an aircraft carrier. It was reportedly due to the fact the plane had sucked a raincover into its own engine.
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