1 Marine dead,1 rescued 5 others are still missing after two U.S. military Aircraft crash.
U.S. Marine Corps C-130 & F/A-18 crash off the coast of Japan, after an Aerial Refueling Mishap.
The incident occurred about 200 miles off the coast of Iwakuni at 2 a.m. on Thursday, or about noon Wednesday, Eastern Standard Time.
An aerial disaster prompted a scramble to find five missing Marines, with a sixth Marine declared dead and a seventh rescued safely from waters off the coast of Japan, Japanese and American officials said Thursday
Japanese and American officials said they had so far found two of the seven Marines who had been aboard the aircraft, an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet and a KC-130 Hercules.
“One of the recovered Marines is in fair condition and the other has been declared deceased by competent medical personnel,” a U.S. Marine Corps statement said.
A big search and rescue operation is continuing in Japan for five missing US Marines after two aircraft with seven crew collided and crashed into the sea.
A U.S. Navy P-8A patrol and surveillance aircraft was helping in search and rescue efforts along with Japanese authorities, the Marine Corps said, adding that the incident was under investigation.
Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Japanese aircraft and three vessels were taking part in the rescue operation.
The US 7th Fleet is supporting the operation, with navy aircraft being deployed.
“The aircraft were conducting routine training and aerial refueling was a part of the training,” the Marine Corps said, without giving any information on the possible cause of the crash.
A Marines statement said: “We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation.”
“We plan to keep at it all through the night,” Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ Joint Staff, said at a news conference.
President lauds rescue efforts after Japan crash
President Donald Trump is thanking U.S. forces in Japan for their work trying to rescue crew members after two U.S. warplanes collided and crashed off the coast of Japan early Thursday.
Two of seven crew members have been recovered so far. One was dead and the other is in fair condition. Five others remain missing.
The Marine Corps said the planes collided during a training exercise after taking off from a base near Hiroshima. They were involved in routine training, including aerial refueling.
Trump tweeted on Thursday that his thoughts and prayers are with the Marine Corps crew members involved in the collision. He thanked the U.S. Forces in Japan for their “immediate response and rescue efforts” and said “Whatever you need, we are here for you.”
