The United States Marine Corps have launched a search effort after an F-35 fighter jet pilot was seen ejecting from the aircraft during a routine training exercise conducted near the Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

The incident happened on Tuesday, September 17 when a single-seat Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightening II was reported to have gone off the radar as it was undergoing a routine training exercise. Camp officials became aware of unusual activity when the pilot was seen ejecting from the jet and the plane disappeared from radar.

The US Navy and Marine Corps have since launched a search effort to find the missing aircraft. This includes searches involving ships, aircraft and ground teams all aimed at locating the jet. The search effort is being conducted around an area located approximately fifty miles east of Camp Lejeune off the coast of North Carolina.

The Marine Corps stated that they are hoping that the search teams can find the jet before any “unfortunate effects are caused by its absence.” They further added that the safety and well-being of the pilot was the top priority for the search teams involved in the mission. It is believed that the aircraft crashed into the Atlantic ocean and the search teams have been checking the area for possible debris.

This incident marks the first time that a pilot has been forced to eject from an F-35 jet. The incident has sparked a lot of concern among the US military community as the F-35 is the newest and most advanced fighter jet in the US arsenal. There have been a number of incidents involving the F-35 in the past but this is the first incident that has resulted in a pilot being forced to eject from the plane.

The US Marine Corps have stated that they would continue the search for the jet until it is located and they are hopeful that the missing pilot will be found safe and sound. They have also reassured citizens of North Carolina that the area is safe and that there is no need to worry about any potential safety threats posed from the missing jet.