UPDATED: 1 Rescued Alive After Marine Corps F-18, KC-130J Crash Off the Coast of Japan

December 5, 2018 4:46 PM - Updated: December 5, 2018 7:09 PM
An F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 and a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conduct simulated aerial refueling during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2017. US Marine Corps photo.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Two Marine Corps aircraft have been involved in a mishap off the coast of Japan, according to a Marine Corps news release. 

Around 2 a.m. local time on Dec. 6 (noon on Dec. 5 in Washington) a two-seat F/A-18D Hornet and a KC-130J tanker with five personnel onboard were involved in a collision about 200 miles off the coast of Iwakuni.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel conducting search and rescue efforts have so far rescued one of the seven Marine Corps personnel alive, III Marine Expeditionary Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Kelly Frushour told USNI News.

The aircraft involved in the mishap left from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting routine training when the mishap occurred.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) is stationed at MCAS Iwakuni and comprises Hornet squadron Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242) and KC-130J squadron Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152), as well as F-35B Joint Strike Fighter squadron Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 (MALS-12) and aviation ground support unit Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS-171).

The following is the complete U.S. Marine Corps news release:

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Search and rescue operations continue for U.S. Marine Corps aircraft that were involved in a mishap off of the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6.

The aircraft involved in the mishap, a KC-130 and an F/A-18, 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.

The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation. There is no additional information available at this time.

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein

Megan Eckstein is the former deputy editor for USNI News.

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox