A military aircraft carrying U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth was forced to make an emergency landing in the United Kingdom on Wednesday following a mechanical issue, according to the Pentagon.
The incident occurred as Hegseth was returning to the United States from Brussels, Belgium, where he had attended a meeting with NATO defense ministers.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the diversion, describing it as an “unscheduled landing” prompted by an equipment failure. “On the way back to the United States from NATO’s Defense Ministers meeting, Secretary of War Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft windshield,” Parnell said in a post on X. “The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe.”
The Pentagon emphasized that the incident was handled in accordance with established safety protocols and that there was no indication of a broader security threat or attack.
Officials said the aircraft’s crew detected the issue mid-flight and followed precautionary measures, diverting the plane to the nearest airfield capable of accommodating the government aircraft.
Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Army officer, took to social media shortly after landing to assure the public that he and his team were unharmed. “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!” he wrote.
The unscheduled landing briefly delayed Hegseth’s return to Washington but did not appear to affect his travel schedule for upcoming meetings.
Pentagon officials said maintenance crews were dispatched to inspect the aircraft and determine whether it could resume flight or would require replacement parts before returning to service.
The crack in the windshield, while serious, is not unprecedented. Aviation experts say such mechanical failures, though rare, can occur after long-distance flights, particularly at high altitudes where extreme temperature changes place stress on aircraft materials.
In accordance with aviation regulations, crews are required to divert immediately when a windshield crack is detected to prevent further damage that could compromise cabin pressure or pilot visibility.
Hegseth had been in Brussels to participate in a two-day gathering of NATO defense ministers focused on ongoing security coordination, including discussions of European defense spending and the modernization of allied forces.
The meeting marked Hegseth’s third trip to Europe since assuming his post and underscored the administration’s effort to strengthen transatlantic cooperation under President Donald Trump’s renewed push for burden-sharing among allies.
Despite the mid-air scare, Hegseth’s calm response drew praise from both colleagues and supporters. Known for his steady demeanor and unapologetically pro-military approach, the secretary has cultivated a reputation for emphasizing preparedness and discipline — principles that were reflected in the quick and orderly handling of the incident.
By evening, officials reported that Hegseth had continued on to the United States aboard a separate aircraft. The Pentagon said a full inspection of the original plane was underway in the United Kingdom.
While routine in nature, the event served as a reminder of the demanding pace of international travel for senior defense officials. For Hegseth, whose role places him at the center of U.S. global security planning, it was another test of resolve — one he appeared to take in stride.
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