Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Update: One Marine dead, one recovering, and five still missing after Marine KC-130 and F/A-18 go down off the coast of Japan

December 5, 2018
Alex Hollings No Comments Military Aviation, News

Update 09:35: A second Marine has been recovered from the waters off the coast of Japan. He was declared dead soon thereafter.

The search and rescue operations continue for the remaining five U.S. Marines who were aboard the KC-130 Hercules and F/A-18 Hornet involved in a mishap about 200 miles off of the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6.” A Marine Corps statement reads.

“U.S. 7th Fleet is supporting ongoing search and rescue efforts with a Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft flying out of Kadena Air Force Base, along with assistance from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japanese Coast Guard. We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s, the Japanese Coast Guard’s, and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s efforts as they continue to respond to the search and rescue operation.”

The Marine Corps also confirmed that the incident occurred during aerial refueling exercises, just as many postulated based on the types of aircraft involved in the incident.

 

Update 20:48: One Marine has been rescued about 200 miles off the coast of Japan. Unconfirmed reports indicate that there were five marines aboard the KC-130 Tanker and two aboard the Hornet. The search is continuing for the remaining six Marines.

UPDATE:

One of the personnel involved in the mishap is being evaluated by competent medical authorities at @MCASIwakuni. The search and rescue operations continue for the remaining six Marines.

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 6, 2018

“We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation,” Marine Corps public affairs said in a press release.

 

 Original Story:

Search and rescue operations are now underway for the crews of a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 and F/A-18 fighter jet that both went down early Thursday morning off the coast of Japan.

“Search and rescue operations continue for U.S. Marine aircraft that were involved in a mishap off the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6. The aircraft involved in the mishap had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting regularly scheduled training when the mishap occurred. Japanese search and rescue aircraft immediately responded to aid in recovery,” a Marine Corp press release stated.

“The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation,” the release states. “There is no additional information available at this time.”

The Marine Corps also issued a brief statement on Twitter regarding the incident:

Search and rescue operations continue for a KC-130 and an F/A-18 that were involved in a mishap off of the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6.

The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation.

Media can contact @IIIMEF at [email protected]

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 5, 2018

Thus far, no other details about the incident have been released. Fighter Sweep will continue to update this story as new information arises.
Feature image courtesy of Picryl

About the Author

Alex Hollings Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects ranging from fitness to foreign policy, all presented through the lens of his experiences as a U.S. Marine, athlete and scholar. A football player, rugby player and fighter, Hollings has spent the better part of his adult life competing in some of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. Hollings possesses a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

Related Posts

  • Marines call off search for lost KC-130 crew, declare all 5 deadMarines call off search for lost KC-130 crew, declare all 5 dead
  • One released from hospital and one dead as search continues for 5 missing Marines after aircraft collision off Japanese coastOne released from hospital and one dead as search continues for 5 missing Marines after aircraft collision off Japanese coast
  • Marine Corps identifies Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard as the Hornet pilot that died in tanker collision ThursdayMarine Corps identifies Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard as the Hornet pilot that died in tanker collision Thursday
  • Marine Corps identifies 5 Marines lost aboard KC-130 that went down near JapanMarine Corps identifies 5 Marines lost aboard KC-130 that went down near Japan
  • Breaking: 2 Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets make contact over 29 Palms, manage to landBreaking: 2 Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets make contact over 29 Palms, manage to land

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • From The Cockpit: VMFA (AW)-242 Bats Cruise Video
    June 20, 2015

    From The Cockpit: VMFA (AW)-242 Bats Cruise Video

  • abandoned-f-14-f-4
    May 14, 2017

    Abandoned US Military F-14 and F-4 Found in a Field. Anyone Know How They Got There?

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers