The Pentagon has confirmed via X that a plane carrying U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom during its return flight to the United States.
The aircraft, which was transporting Hegseth following the NATO Defense Minister meeting in Belgium, experienced a “crack in the aircraft windshield.”
“The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe,” according to a statement from the U.S. government.
Secretary Hegseth later posted after landing: “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”
According to BBC Verify’s tracking data, the aircraft began descending off the southwest coast of Ireland. FlightRadar24 data indicates the plane then turned east, descending to an altitude of 10,000 feet.
At that time, the plane began transmitting a “7700 squawk code” via its transponder, a signal typically used to indicate a general emergency onboard, encompassing scenarios such as engine failure, depressurization, or a medical situation.
Notably, in February, a government aircraft carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was compelled to return to base due to a cracked cockpit window.
Defense ministers convened in Belgium on Wednesday to address security matters pertaining to Ukraine.