US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plane makes emergency landing in UK following NATO meeting

WASHINGTON, DC: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's aircraft was forced to make an unscheduled emergency landing in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 15. 

According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the Boeing aircraft developed a crack in its windshield while en route to the US. 

Hegseth's plane suffers from a cracked windshield

Parnell confirmed that everyone aboard Hegseth's plane was safe. 

He wrote 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."

He added, "The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe." 

Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft descended to 10,000 feet, a typical emergency altitude used to guard against cabin depressurization, before diverting to a UK airfield.

After the emergency landing, Hegseth retweeted the Pentagon’s announcement and added on X, “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”

Hegseth warns Russia of 'costs' for prolonging war

At the NATO meeting in Brussels, Hegseth delivered a strong message to Moscow, warning that the US and its allies were prepared to escalate pressure if Russia failed to pursue peace in Ukraine.

“If there is no path to peace in the short term, then the United States, along with our allies, will take the steps necessary to impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression,” Hegseth said.

“If we must take this step, the US War Department stands ready to do our part in ways that only the United States can do,” he added.

His remarks came amid discussions focused on bolstering NATO’s collective defense, coordinating military aid to Ukraine, and strengthening deterrence against Russian incursions into alliance territory.

The Defense secretary also said that the “most effective deterrence” to Russia’s “aggression” is a “lethal, capable and European-led NATO.” 

He also said that, “A combat credible Ukrainian military able to defend itself and thereby continue to deter Russian aggression along NATO’s border," is also necessary.

The two-day summit brought together defense ministers from NATO member states to discuss new commitments to Kyiv, cyber and air defense upgrades, and the long-term posture of allied forces in Eastern Europe.

Hegseth pressed for “peace through strength,” urging partners to maintain pressure on Moscow while expanding production of defense supplies.