Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plane just had to make an emergency landing in the UK on Wednesday, due to a crack in the plane’s windshield.
Hegseth had traveled to Bussels, Belgium for a NATO defense meeting, and was on his way back to the U.S. when the pilots reportedly declared an in-flight emergency while crossing the North Atlantic, and turned back to Europe.
It is unknown what caused the crack in the windshield.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced later on X, “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.”
“The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe,” Parnell added.
Hegseth later announced, “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”
All good. Thank God. Continue mission! https://t.co/kCMmfOvHLX
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 15, 2025
UPDATE: Pete Hegseth’s plane lands at RAF Mildenhall in the UK after declaring an emergency https://t.co/udYeiQBxtR pic.twitter.com/Bth4pXPk9P
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) October 15, 2025
Earlier on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte posted on X, “Good to see 🇺🇸 @SecWar Pete Hegseth again. NATO is stronger than ever & fairer: European Allies & Canada are pulling their weight and stepping up to equalise defence spending with the US. Looking forward to continue working together to keep our fighting forces powerful & preserve peace.”
Good to see 🇺🇸 @SecWar Pete Hegseth again. NATO is stronger than ever & fairer: European Allies & Canada are pulling their weight and stepping up to equalise defence spending with the US. Looking forward to continue working together to keep our fighting forces powerful & preserve… pic.twitter.com/6m0i7eYyCk
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) October 15, 2025
. @SECWAR and @SECGENNATO full opening remarks prior to @NATO Defense Ministers Meeting. @USNATO pic.twitter.com/uljwP8zvyx
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) October 15, 2025
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