Two Japanese Navy Helicopters Crash During Training Flight in Pacific Ocean
In a tragic incident, two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during a nighttime training flight. One crew member was recovered from the waters but was later pronounced dead, while seven others remain missing.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that the helicopters were believed to have collided with each other before crashing into the water. As a result, training flights for all SH-60 helicopters will be suspended for the time being.
Rescuers have recovered the flight data recorder and aircraft fragments, indicating that the helicopters were flying close to each other at the time of the collision. In response, search and rescue efforts have been expanded with 12 warships and seven aircraft deployed.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has offered assistance with the search and rescue efforts. The helicopters were on a nighttime anti-submarine training exercise and were developed by Sikorsky and produced in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The crash comes just a year after another fatal helicopter crash and recalls a previous collision involving SH-60 helicopters. Preventive measures introduced after the previous collision could potentially have prevented Saturday’s tragic crash.
At the time of the crash, no weather advisories were issued in the area. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks and sacrifices involved in military training operations. Guam News Factor will provide updates on the search and rescue efforts as they continue.
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