MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Search and rescue operations were underway for U.S. Marine aircraft that were involved in a ‘mishap’ off of the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, military officials say.
The aircraft involved in the mishap had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting regularly scheduled training when the mishap occurred — reportedly a refueling exercise.
According to CNN’s Steve Brusk, five people were believed aboard C-130 and two on the F-18.
A US defense official says two Marine planes, a C-130 and FA-18, crashed off the coast of Japan …5 believed aboard C-130 and 2 on the F-18. Both crashed into the water. Search and rescue operations are underway
— Steve Brusk (@stevebruskCNN) December 5, 2018
Japanese search and rescue aircraft responded to aid in recovery, officials said.
The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation.
There is no additional information available at this time.
