Six US marines were missing after two American military aircraft crashed on Thursday during a refuelling operation off the coast of Japan, officials said.
According to Japan’s defense ministry, its maritime forces had so far rescued one of the seven Marines who were aboard the two aircraft at the time of the episode.
Search and rescue efforts were ongoing, US and Japanese officials said.
The rescued person had been on the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, and was in a stable condition, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters.
“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,” Iwaya added.
The Marine Corps said in a statement that the incident occurred around 2 am local time in Japan.
As per the Marine Corps, the F/A-18 and the KC-130 Hercules refueling aircraft had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting regular training when mishap happened.
The KC-130 was carrying five servicemen and the F/A-18 with two, said the Japanese official,
The crew member rescued had been in the fighter jet, the minister confirmed.
The Marines said, “We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation.”
Six US marines were missing after two American military aircraft crashed on Thursday during a refuelling operation off the coast of Japan, officials said.
According to Japan’s defense ministry, its maritime forces had so far rescued one of the seven Marines who were aboard the two aircraft at the time of the episode.
Search and rescue efforts were ongoing, US and Japanese officials said.
The rescued person had been on the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, and was in a stable condition, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters.
“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,” Iwaya added.
The Marine Corps said in a statement that the incident occurred around 2 am local time in Japan.
As per the Marine Corps, the F/A-18 and the KC-130 Hercules refueling aircraft had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting regular training when mishap happened.
The KC-130 was carrying five servicemen and the F/A-18 with two, said the Japanese official,
The crew member rescued had been in the fighter jet, the minister confirmed.
The Marines said, “We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation.”
