June 12, 2018

An F-15 fighter jet stationed at the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa crashed into the sea off Naha City on June 11. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces rescued the pilot who managed to bail out.

The Okinawa prefectural government immediately demanded that the U.S. military suspend flights of F-15s until their safety is confirmed.

This was the 49th crash of U.S. military aircraft, including helicopters, after Okinawa's reversion to Japan in 1972, according to the prefectural office.

Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi at the prefectural office building told the press that there have been never-ending incidents involving U.S. military aircraft such as part-drops and emergency landings. He said, "Yet again, another F-15 crashed. What kind of future are we going to pass on to our children and grandchildren? Japan is the only country among the developed nations under occupation-like circumstances."

Past related articles:
> A year on from crash in Okinawa, MV-22 flights still left unchecked [December 13, 2017]
> US CH-53E chopper crashes near Takae community in Okinawa [October 12 & 14, 2017]
> MV-22, before crashing in sea off Okinawa, repeatedly failed in attempts at aerial refueling [September 12, 2017]
> Okinawans have witnessed US aircraft crash once a year for half a century [May 15, 2017]