Japan Self-Defense Forces Discover Part of Missing Helicopter and 5 Passengers

Flight Track Disappeared During Flight on the 6th

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force discovered parts of a missing Self-Defense Force helicopter and five individuals presumed to be onboard at a depth of 106 meters underwater near Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture.

According to foreign media on the 16th, divers conducted search operations in the sea north of Irabujima, west of Miyakojima, and found parts of the helicopter and people.

The UH-60JA helicopter belonging to the 8th Aviation Squadron of the 8th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force took off from the Miyakojima Air Self-Defense Force base on the 6th but disappeared from radar during flight. The helicopter was carrying a total of 10 people, including Sakamoto Yuichi, commander of the 8th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force, as well as pilots and crew members.