An AV-8B Harrier II of the Marine Corps yesterday crashed 100 nautical miles off the island of Okinawa.
The STOVL jet assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit crashed during a flight of training routine. The pilot managed to get away and was rescued by an 33 helicopterrd USAF Rescue Squadron, also taken off from Kadena Air Base.
The nature of the incident on which an investigation was opened is unknown.
Meanwhile, the governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, warned during a statement addressed to the commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Forces, lt. January Lawrence Nicholson, to leave all the people Harrier of the base, giving reasons: "Even if no damage was found to the Okinawan residents, it would be extremely unfortunate if a similar plane crash caused casualties among the civilian population or damaged their property. Such incidents cause great concern among Okinawans who are forced to live with US military bases. We strongly protest theplane crash because prevention measures and the Safety management is not strict enough and therefore cannot contain our anger."
The Marine Corps did not respond to requests for comment or updates.
(photo: US Navy)
