Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing on Sunday, four days after a US Osprey military aircraft crashed into the sea near Yakushima Island in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima.
When the Osprey went down on Wednesday, there were eight personnel on board. Sadly, one person has been confirmed dead, while seven others are still missing and unaccounted for.
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The US Air Force has identified the crewmember who lost his life as 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Jacob Galliher, who was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.
Fishermen in the area have discovered what appears to be a part of the aircraft wreckage in the waters off the island. They have brought it ashore and stored it in a warehouse in the town of Yakushima.
On Sunday morning, US personnel were witnessed visiting the warehouse. They carefully wrapped up the stored items and loaded them onto a truck before heading to Yakushima Airport.
The US Air Force has also announced that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is participating in the search for the missing crewmembers. The operation involves carrier-based aircraft, drones, and divers.
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In a statement, the Air Force emphasized the solidarity between the joint force and their Japanese allies, stating, “Our joint force and Japanese allies stand united in our determination to bring our air commandos home.”
Furthermore, as part of the search operation, two US Ospreys arrived at Amami Island Airport in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday morning. The regional bureau of Japan’s Defense Ministry confirmed that these Ospreys are deployed at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
After spending approximately an hour and 20 minutes at the airport, the two Ospreys took off around 10:50 a.m. and headed eastward. Their involvement in the search efforts signifies the extensive efforts being made to locate the missing crewmembers.
