The F-35A strike fighter is cleared to begin initial operations at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., after officials at the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, issue a military flight release.
Thunderbird F-16 Crashes in California, Pilot OK
Dec. 3, 2025
An Air Force F-16 Thunderbird crashed Dec. 3 near Death Valley, Calif., with the pilot ejecting safely. In a statement, the Thunderbirds—officially the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron—said the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time “during a training mission over controlled airspace in California.”

