1 dead, 5 missing after 2 US military planes crash off Japan

06/12/2018

This news has been read 11176 times!

In this aerial photo, Japan’s Coast Guard ship is seen at sea during a search operation for a US Marine refueling plane and a fighter jet off Muroto, Kochi prefecture, southwestern Japan on Dec 6. A Marine refueling plane and a fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Japan’s southwestern coast after a midair collision early Thursday, and rescuers found two of the seven crew members in stable condition while searching for the others, officials said. (Inset): Photo provided by US Marine Corps shows two F/A-18D Hornets with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 approach a KC-130J with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 during a Special Purpose Marine Air- Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command aerial refueling exercise in an undisclosed location. (AP)

One US Marine died and five were missing Thursday after two American military aircraft crashed during a refuelling operation off the coast of Japan, officials said. Japanese and US military officials earlier said two of the seven crew of the planes had been found. “One is in fair condition and the other has been declared deceased by competent medical personnel,” the US Marine Corps said late Thursday.

“US military and the Japanese Self-Defense planes and vessels are searching for those still missing … I hope all the members will be rescued safely as soon as possible,” Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya said. The search would continue through the night, Kyodo news agency reported. The Marines were conducting “regularly scheduled training” when the crash occurred around 2:00 am local time, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force said in a statement.

The F/A-18 fighter jet with two crew onboard and a KC- 130 refuelling tanker with five crew crashed into the sea around 100 kms (55 nautical miles) off the cape of Muroto in southwestern Japan, Iwaya said. The crew member rescued had been in the fighter jet, the minister confirmed. Japan’s SDF had deployed nine aircraft and three vessels for the search, he said. “We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation,” the Marines said. (AFP)

This news has been read 11176 times!

06/12/2018