Japan Press Weekly

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2021 July 28 - August 3 [US FORCES]

Yet another accident involving USMC helicopter

A U.S. military helicopter stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa on July 27 made an emergency landing on a rice paddy in Kushima City in Miyazaki Prefecture. This was the second incident involving USMC aircraft in the last two weeks.

The aircraft in question is a UH-1 “Huey” multi-role military helicopter. According to information released by the Defense Ministry’s Kyushu Defense Bureau, the chopper was heading for the Futenma base after taking off from the Nyutabaru Base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Miyazaki Prefecture). The bureau said that the aircraft suffered no apparent damage and that there were no injuries to local residents as well as to the two marines on board. The defense authority added that it is in the process of confirming with the U.S. forces in Japan about the incident.

On July 13, a CH-53E heavy transport helicopter of the Futenma base accidentally dropped a steel container into the sea near Okinawa’s Tonaki Village. Repeated accidents and mishaps caused by U.S. military aircraft have been posing a threat to Japanese people’s lives and livelihoods.

Past related articles:
> Okinawa Prefectural Assembly unanimously resolves to protest against US military’s container drop accident [July 22&27, 2021]