with reporters: 'That's what the F-35 would do to ya'

His subordinate took over the briefing,

A Pentagon press briefing discussing the Air Force's $120billion budget took a tragicomic turn when a high-ranking official fainted at the podium - and the entire incident was caught on camera.

US Air Force General James Martin Jr, 52, was talking about the future of the F-35 program when suddenly he started to slump forward on Tuesday, dipping his head beneath the dais.

While subordinates who rushed to help Martin joked that he fainted after reading the budget, it was later revealed that he had been suffering from the flu.

Feeling faint: US Air Force General James Martin Jr (left and right) passed out during a Pentagon briefing about the Us Air Force's 2017 budget. Tuesday's tragicomic incident was captured on camera

Down he goes: Martin was talking about the future of the F-35 program when he started to slump forward, dipping his head beneath the podium

All hands on deck: The major general's aides rushed to his side to help steady him

Stoic: The high-ranking Air Force official did not say a word while being held up by his staffers

In the video from the press conference, Assistant Air Force Secretary Carolyn Gleason rushes to Martin's side and grabs him by the arm.

Light laughter is heard in the room before Gleason asks someone to help her steady the general.

Three Air Force staffers rush over and grab hold of Martin, who appears dazed and woozy.

One of the aides offers him a sip of water from a small plastic bottle while another fetches a chair for the wobbly general to take a sit.

'That's what the F-35 will do to ya,' Gleason quips, referring to the aircraft the Air Force budget director had been discussing before he passed out.

Gleason then took over the briefing, joking that her boss 'kept threatening to pull a hammy.'

Lightening the mood: Assistant Air Force Secretary Carolyn Gleason (far left) quipped: 'That's what the F-35 will do to ya,' referring to the aircraft the Air Force budget director had been discussing before he passed out

Staying hdrated: The woozy major general sipped water from a plastic bottle one of his aides offered to him

Take it easy: Martin took a seat in a chair placed behind the podium because he was unsteady on his feet

Gleason then took over the budget briefing as aides escorted her boss out of the room

It later emerged that the Air Force budget director had the flu of a cold

'I didn't think he really meant it,' she said with a sheepish smile before picking up where Martin left off.

The major general then made a feeble attempt to get up from the chair, but Gleason insisted he remain seated.

He was eventually ushered out of the room and later taken to a hospital as a precaution.

It has since emerged that Martin, a career officer who works under the Air Force’s Financial Management and Comptroller office, was suffering from the flu or a cold.

He was back to work Wednesday and was said to be doing well, according to an Air Force representative, according to Air Force Times.