Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crewmembers are believed to have 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 lost contact near Torishima island in the Pacific about 370 miles south of Tokyo. One crewmember was recovered from the waters, but the condition of the individual was unknown, with seven others still missing. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and rescuers were focusing on the search and rescue operation.
The MSDF deployed warships and aircraft to search for the missing crew, recovering fragments believed to be from one of the SH-60K helicopters. The helicopters, designed by Sikorsky and known as Seahawk, were on a night-time anti-submarine training exercise. One chopper lost contact at 10:38 p.m. after sending an emergency signal, while the other lost contact about 25 minutes later. The aircraft were on training exercises involving only the Japanese navy and were not part of a multinational exercise. No foreign aircraft or warships were reported in the area at the time of the crash.
Japan has been accelerating its military buildup and fortifying deterrence in the southwestern Japanese islands in the Pacific and East China Sea to counter threats from China’s increasingly assertive military activities. The country has conducted its own naval exercises as well as joint drills with allies like the United States and other partners in recent years. The apparent crash comes a year after a Ground Self-Defense Force UH-60 Blackhawk crash off the southwestern Japanese island of Miyako that left all 10 crewmembers dead. In January 2022, an Air Self-Defense F-15 fighter jet crashed off the northcentral coast of Japan, resulting in the deaths of two crewmembers.
There were no weather advisories issued in the area at the time of Saturday’s crash, according to Japan’s NHK public television. The Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that the priority is on the ongoing search and rescue operation for the missing crewmembers. The SH-60K aircraft is typically deployed on destroyers for anti-submarine missions. The Japanese navy deployed several warships and aircraft for the search and rescue mission, with fragments believed to be from one of the missing helicopters recovered. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and efforts are being made to locate the missing crewmembers.
Despite the tragic incident, Japan continues to strengthen its military capabilities and conduct training exercises to maintain readiness and deter potential threats in the region. The country has been working on its security strategy, focusing on the southwestern Japanese islands in the Pacific and East China Sea. The recent crash highlights the risks associated with military training exercises, with previous incidents resulting in casualties. The Japanese government is committed to ensuring the safety and readiness of its military personnel while conducting operations in the region. The search and rescue efforts continue as officials work to determine the cause of the crash and locate the missing crewmembers.
