US fighter jet crashes near military base in California.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed on July 31 (local time) near a military base in San Diego, California.
According to a spokesperson for the Marine Corps Air Base Miramar (MCAS Miramar), the aviation accident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 31 in the vicinity of the base.
Speaking to AFP, a base representative confirmed: "The pilot ejected safely, was rescued from the scene by authorities, and is being transported to a medical facility."
Currently, the US military has not released detailed information about the pilot's specific health condition, nor has it confirmed whether there were any casualties or other damage on the ground as a result of the plane crash. US military officials said they will provide more official information in due course after conducting an investigation.
Images and videos from the scene shared on social media platforms show a large column of black smoke rising from the crash site. Firefighters were quickly dispatched to the scene to control and extinguish the blaze.
MCAS Miramar base was once widely known globally as the location of the U.S. Navy's elite "Top Gun" pilot training school.