Six Injured When H-60 Came Down On USNS Red Cloud

A U.S. Army H-60 helicopter conducted a hard landing aboard the USNS Red Cloud on August 12 approximately 8 miles east of Ukibarujima (Ukibaru Island) while conducting training.

Seven service members suffered non-life threatening injuries: five U.S. service members and two Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members.

There were 17 personnel aboard the helicopter, according to a news release from U.S. Forces Japan.

U.S. special operations forces were conducting a maritime training exercise as part of a demonstration of the range of U.S. SOF capabilities to members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

These training events are part of U.S. Pacific Command’s military-to-military engagement programs, which are conducted by the U.S. with many nations in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. forces enhance their skills by training in different geographic and cultural environments while building partnerships with security forces of other nations.

The U.S. military remains committed to conducting challenging, realistic training in support of our Mutual Security Treaty to defend Japan.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. Information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

(U.S. Navy image)

FMI: http://www.usfj.mil