Developing Story: Two Aircraft Reported Down, Seven Aircrew Reported Missing.
Reports on Twitter indicate that two U.S. military aircraft have crashed during a midair refueling operation off Iwakuni, Japan.
Early reports that surfaced on Twitter report that an F/A-18 (unspecified variant) and a C-130 crashed into the sea with a total of seven crewmembers on board. The reports suggest the F/A-18 is a two-seat variant and five other crewmembers were on board the C-130.
A Marine F-18 & a C-130 crashed during aerial refueling off Iwakuni, Japan. Both aircraft went into the water. There were five on the C-130 & two on the F-18, condition unknown. Search and rescue is underway – @USMC
— Mary Walsh (@CBSWalsh) December 5, 2018
The F/A-18 Hornet is a one or two-seat multi-role, twin engine tactical jet aircraft and the C-130 and its many versions including the U.S. Marine KC-130 aerial refueling variant is a large, four-engine turboprop used for numerous cargo, support and special missions by every branch of the U.S. military.
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 IIIMEFMEDIA@usmc.mil.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 5, 2018
We will update this story as details become available.
Update Dec. 6, 13.30 GMT
Two of the aircrew involved in the mishap have been rescued. Search continues for the remaining five.
