Two American naval aircraft flew together on the coast of Japan. Six soldiers are missing.
That’s what the US Navy reported. The aircraft had seven people on board together. The Japanese Ministry of Defense reports that it has saved one of the people.
Search
The US Navy is looking for other survivors off the coast of Japan. Japanese rescue workers also help with this. “We want to thank the marines of the Japanese Armed Forces for their efforts and the rapid establishment of a search and rescue mission,” said the US Navy.
The aircraft are an F18 jet and a larger KC130, a tanker. The accident would have happened during a regular exercise at Iwakuni, where the Americans have a base. According to an anonymous army officer it happened during an exercise of refueling.
@USMC @IIIMEF confirms one of the personnel involved in the mishap is being evaluated by competent medical authorities at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
More UPDATES here:https://t.co/C8Pb9MgXzT @USFJ_J
— U.S. Forces Japan (@USForcesJapan) December 6, 2018
As search & rescue operations continue for a KC-130-F/A-18 mishap off the coast of Japan, we send our heartfelt thoughts & prayers to families & colleagues of those still missing. We applaud @USForcesJapan & the Self-Defense Forces for their immediate highly integrated response. https://t.co/5C04rY3tZe
— ビル・ハガティ米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) December 6, 2018