Japan Press Weekly

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2021 June 2 - 8 [US FORCES]

US military copter makes emergency landing on island in Okinawa

A U.S. military helicopter on June 2 made an emergency landing in a farm field on Tsuken-jima Island in Okinawa’s Uruma City.

The aircraft in question is a UH-1 “Huey” multi-role military helicopter stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. The chopper on that day at 11 p.m. made a forced landing on farmland, about 120 meters away from a residential area. Fortunately, no injuries and property damage were reported. According to the chopper crew, the aircraft developed engine trouble during its flight training.

Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny on June 3 at the prefectural office building said to the press that every accident involving U.S. military aircraft poses a threat to Okinawans’ lives and property, and expressed his intent to conduct a thorough probe to determine the cause of the latest forced landing.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Prefectural Assembly’s special committee on U.S. base issues carried out an on-site investigation. After the investigation, Japanese Communist Party assemblymember Higa Mizuki, who took part in the investigation together with his colleague Senaga Misao, said, “I’m really angry at the response to this accident. The U.S. military stance of refusing to provide information about the accident has aroused considerable anxiety among local residents. The Japanese government should demand the withdrawal of the U.S. Marines from Okinawa or at least request the U.S. military to suspend flight training drills in the prefecture.”

The same type of aircraft in January 2018 made an emergency landing on Ikei-jima Island in Uruma City.

Past related articles:
> Forced landing incident of US military chopper recurs just 2 days after 1st one in Okinawa [ January 9, 2018]