Plane carrying US secretary of war makes ‘unscheduled landing’ in UK

The aircraft had suffered a cracked windscreen but landed safely, the Pentagon said.

By contributor Ben Mitchell, PA
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Supporting image for story: Plane carrying US secretary of war makes ‘unscheduled landing’ in UK
Pete Hegseth had been attending a Nato meeting (Alex Brandon/AP)

An aircraft carrying US secretary of war Pete Hegseth back to the US from Nato talks in Brussels had to make an “unscheduled landing” in the UK after suffering a cracked windshield.

Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the plane landed without issue and the crew and passengers, including Mr Hegseth, were safe onboard.

He posted 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.”

Mr Hegseth also posted: “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”

The aviation news website Airlive reported that the Boeing C-32A – a military version of the Boeing 757 – was about 30 minutes into the flight when it suffered a “depressurisation issue”.

It went on to land at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk at about 7.10pm.

Mr Hegseth had been attending a meeting of Nato defence ministers which was also attended by UK Defence Secretary John Healey.