"U.S. Military Helicopter Crashes Off Japan's Okinawa; 7 Injured"

2015-08-12T11:54:40-04:00

From: NBC News

TOKYO — A U.S. military helicopter crash landed off the Japanese island of Okinawa on Wednesday, leaving seven people injured.

The UH-60 Black Hawk performed a "hard-deck landing" on the USNS Red Cloud, the U.S. Pacific Command said. Aerial footage broadcast by NHK showed the chopper with part of its tail broken off.

Of the 17 people on board, seven were injured and transported to a U.S. naval hospital on Okinawa, according to the U.S. Pacific Command. It previously said six people were injured but then revised the figure.

The incident happened at 1:46 p.m. (12:46 a.m. ET Wednesday) about 20 miles east of Okinawa. The helicopter was conducting a training mission at the time and the cause was under investigation, military officials said.

Japanese patrol boats and helicopters were initially sent to search for the helicopter and its crew.

However, Okinawa coast guard spokesman Yosuke Watanuki said it later received a call from U.S. Camp Foster military police, calling off the request for assistance.

Okinawa, an island more than 900 miles southwest of Tokyo, is home to the bulk of U.S. military forces stationed in Japan.

Seven Marines were killed in March after a Black Hawk crashed during a training exercise along the foggy Florida coast.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-military-helicopter-crashes-okinawa-6-injured-n408281

U.S. Military Chopper Carrying 17 Crashes Off Japan

A U.S. military helicopter crash landed off the Japanese island of Okinawa on Wednesday, leaving six people injured.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 12 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-08-12T11:58:35-04:00

Thank God they are alive!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 12 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-08-12T12:20:45-04:00

I certainly am thankful that nobody was killed. So often we learn about missing pilots and crew members who do not survive. Thank God that all survived this accident.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-08-12T12:29:45-04:00

Prayers for the troops on the chopper.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-08-12T12:30:26-04:00

Prayers for the family of this great American. God bless

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-08-12T12:31:15-04:00

Darn. Wish I was closer. Have a great program and I hope the turnout is fantastic!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-08-12T12:32:46-04:00

I am sick and tired of the PC crap! Enough! It's a piece of cloth with meaning to many of us!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 12 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-08-12T12:35:24-04:00

Wow, watching the video, that pilot REALLY threaded the needle there. And a USNS ship to the rescue. Once again the US Merchant Marine faithfully serves, as they have for hundreds of years.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 5:56 PM

2015-08-13T17:56:52-04:00

Thank goodness they are alive..So many accidents..

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Aug 13 at 2015 7:43 PM

2015-08-13T19:43:16-04:00

Holy cow, the news over here spun it like they took a header in the drink. The locals were are acting crazy like it fell on a fishing trawler.