Japan Press Weekly

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2020 February 26 - March 3 [US FORCES]

US military aircraft intentionally drops a metal object

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter stationed at the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa on February 25 intentionally dropped a metal object it was transporting in a sea area off the west coast of Yomitan Village in the prefecture.

The U.S. side explained that the metal object was hanging from the CH-53 Sea Stallion transport helicopter heading for a firing range in the prefecture, and added that as the object was in an unstable condition, it was cut off from the aircraft in order to secure the safety of the crew. The U.S. military did not provide the object’s details, such as its size and weight.

On the following day, Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny said to the press that he will lodge with the U.S. military a strong protest against the drop incident due to undue safety concerns. The governor referred to a U.S. military chopper crash in the sea near the prefecture in January and an accidental drop of U.S. military aircraft equipment early this month. He said, “Accidents involving U.S. military aircraft take place often. This has aroused much fear among Okinawans.”

In Yomitan Village, in 1965, a trailer fell from a U.S. military airplane which crushed an elementary school girl to death.

Past related articles:
> Object from US military aircraft falls on farmland during parachute drills on Okinawan island [January 30, 2020]
> Yet another US military chopper crash is impermissible: Okinawa governor [January 28, 2020]
> US military aircraft in Okinawa drops 4kg part [October 22, 2019]