Request Follows An Accident In Okinawa Monday

The Japanese government has requested that the U.S. military ground its Japanese-based fleet of HH-60 helicopters following an accident on the island of Okinawa Monday.

According to an Air Force release, search operations for the missing crew member from an Aug. 5 HH-60 crash in the Central Training Area at Kadena Air Base were suspended due to the discovery of human remains at the accident site. The remains have yet to be identified.

The three crew members recovered Monday are all in stable condition and have received appropriate medical care for their injuries at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, according to the release.
 
The Air Force said that to help focus on the ongoing search and recovery operations, 18th Wing leadership has suspended flying activities for Aug. 6, except for operationally required missions. Flight operations for fixed-wing aircraft are scheduled to resume Aug 7. It is not yet known when the rescue squadron will resume flying.
 
The safety of all wing operations remains the priority at all times, wing officials said. A board will convene to investigate the cause of the accident. The USAF said it will release more details as they become available.

The Associated Press reports that Japan filed a formal complaint about the accident. The government there is still firmly opposed to the deployment of additional Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

(HH-60 image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil