[FtrPilot]

Air Force fighters do have tail hooks. Air Force runways typically have approach end and departure end cables. The tail hook would be used for high-speed abort on takeoff or landing emergencies, such as hydraulic failure where the aircraft has no brakes.

Looking at the picture, it appears to me that the main gear are extended and the nose gear either collapsed or never came down.

If the nose gear never came down, the pilot would not lower the hook.

If the pilot lowered the hook then, I would guess, the pilot had brake failure, lowered the hook, caught the departure end cable and the rapid deceleration collapsed the nose gear.

I can assure that plane will fly again.

[Hulka]

Oh, not all USAF fighters have tail hooks. A-10 for one. No hook.