Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during a night-time training exercise. The two SH-60K choppers belonging to the Maritime Self Defense Force were carrying four crew members each when they lost contact near Torishima island in the Pacific. One crew member was recovered from the waters, but the other seven are still missing. The cause of the crash is unknown, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force deployed eight warships and five aircraft to search for the missing crewmembers. Fragments believed to be from one of the helicopters were recovered during the search. The helicopters were on night-time anti-submarine training when they lost contact, with one sending an emergency signal at 10:38 p.m. and the other losing contact 25 minutes later. The aircraft belonged to air bases in Nagasaki and Tokushima prefecture, and are usually deployed on destroyers for anti-submarine missions.
The training exercise on Saturday only involved the Japanese navy and was not part of a multinational exercise, with no foreign aircraft or warships spotted in the area. Japan has been accelerating its military buildup and fortifying deterrence in the southwestern Japanese islands in response to China’s increasingly assertive military activities. In recent years, Japan has conducted naval exercises and joint drills with allies like the United States to counter potential threats.
This apparent crash comes a year after a Ground Self-Defense Force UH-60 Blackhawk crashed off the southwestern Japanese island of Miyako, resulting in the death of all 10 crew members. In January 2022, an Air Self-Defense F-15 fighter jet crashed off the northcentral coast of Japan, also killing two crew members. The crash highlights the risks and dangers faced by military personnel during training exercises and underscores the importance of safety protocols and emergency response measures.
The search and rescue operation for the missing crew members continues, with Japanese defense officials focusing on locating and recovering the remaining seven individuals. The recovery of fragments believed to be from one of the helicopters provides some clues as to the potential location of the crash site. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its personnel and will continue to work tirelessly to find the missing crew members.
As more information becomes available regarding the cause of the crash and the status of the missing crew members, the Japanese government and defense officials will provide updates to the public. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with military training exercises and the importance of preparedness and coordination in responding to emergencies. The thoughts and prayers of the Japanese people are with the missing crew members and their families as the search and rescue operation continues.
