The Marine Corps confirmed that one of the two Marines rescued after a collision off the coast of Japan on Wednesday is dead, as search and rescue operations continue for the remaining five Marines.
The crash involved two aircraft — a KC-130 refueling tanker and an F/A-18 fighter jet. The Marine Corps said the aircraft took off from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan as part of standard training, but they collided off the coast at approximately 2 a.m.
Japanese search-and-rescue aircraft immediately tended to the situation and the recovery efforts, and an investigation is underway to determine what caused the accident. The second Marine who was recovered is in “fair condition.”
The Marine Corps said that the U.S. 7th Fleet is supporting the search-and-rescue operations, along with with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japanese Coast Guard.
“We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s, the Japanese Coast Guard’s, and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s efforts as they continue to respond to the search-and-rescue operation,” the Marine Corps said in a statement Thursday.
President Trump also weighed in and thanked those involved in the search and rescue efforts.
My thoughts and prayers are with the @USMC crew members who were involved in a mid-air collision off the coast of Japan. Thank you to @USForcesJapan for their immediate response and rescue efforts. Whatever you need, we are here for you. @IIIMEF
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2018
The commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni is Col. Richard Fuerst.
