AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, UAE – For the second time in less than 24 hours, a United States Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter has declared a mid-air emergency while operating over the Gulf of Oman, raising concerns over the operational status of the fleet stationed in the region.
The incident occurred early Monday morning at 02:27 UTC. The aircraft, identified by registration 13-5067, was patrolling at an altitude of 15,000 feet and heading toward the United Arab Emirates when the pilot transmitted a “Squawk 7700” code, the international signal for a general emergency.
Flight tracking data indicates the advanced stealth fighter immediately diverted from its mission profile. The pilot managed to navigate the aircraft to Al Dhafra Air Base, touching down safely at approximately 02:55 UTC.
This latest emergency follows a near-identical incident on Sunday, May 10, when another F-35 operating in the same airspace also declared an emergency before returning to base. The back-to-back incidents involving one of the world’s most sophisticated weapons systems have drawn intense scrutiny.
Al Dhafra Air Base serves as a major hub for U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), hosting a variety of air assets tasked with maintaining maritime security and supporting regional stability.
