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U.S. military helicopter crash-lands in Okinawa, no injuries

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For the ones who say American military leave Japan.  

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/08/18/national/four-msdf-servicemen-treated-helicopter-flips-iwakuni-air-base/#.WlGNiXWRXgA

So now your going to complain about jmsdf leave to? It happens anywhere. When you're dealing with machinary it's bound to happen.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There has been a lot of comments about the poor reporting and the pro Japan slant on this story, (which I agree with) so, the person who wrote this article, lets say, when you are driving your car to work and a warning light comes up on the dash panel, its fair to say that you wound take it to your local garage and ask the mechanic to have a look to see what the problem is? if this is the case would you say that you have crashed your car this morning to co workers?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Helicopters and modern day aircraft are vastly complicated pieces of machinery, it does not mater who owns these bits of kit they will go wrong at some time, and the more you have of these bits of kit, the more likely things are going to go wrong,

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The real issue is the relocation of Marine Air Station Futenma. I am in agreement with Governor Onaga and others, Futenma should have been relocated a long time ago.

I agree with this totally, just don't agree with Onaga's tactics. Futenma should have been moved a long, long time ago.

Henoko is the best option now, and with construction moving along, it's time to move on and get some of these facilities shut down.

The best solution for Okinawa is to remove all of the Marines from Okinawa and keep Kadena Air Base for the Air Force, White Beach for the Navy, Torii Station and Fort Buckner for the Army and those bases along with the JSDF Bases and Missile Sites on Okinawa is more than enough for the small island of Okinawa and its people to bear in support of the defense of Japan.

Love it when arm-chair pundits talk in absolutes thinking they know better than everyone else.

The US bases in Okinawa isn't just about "numbers"

Even a blind person can see that Okinawa is too small of an island to have all of these Military Facilities on it. Okinawa is 70 miles long and an average of 7 miles wide but yet has 13 large U.S. Military Bases on it plus several JSDF Bases and missile sites. Name me another 70 mile long 7 mile wide area in the world that has so many Military Bases on it.

13 U.S. Military Bases on Okinawa but only 8 U.S. Military Bases in all of Mainland Japan but yet it is the people of Okinawa who are always called whiners and complainers and not doing enough to support the U.S. Japan Security Treaty.

The bases account for less than 8% of the land used on Okinawa,

You also intentionally choose to ignore historical reasons for the bases being here and why they still are, you only give 1/10th of the information to come to a flawed conclusion that is based upon your obvious dislike of the MC (You constantly harp on the same issue) You live here because the bases are here, your earned your living because you made it off the bases, and your retirement money comes from your being former military and former GS in thanks to the bases, now that you don"t "need" the bases, except for the commissary and cheap gas, you want the rest shut down.

Folks need to keep this in mind when reading your posts. Your bias shows too often.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

And the local government will demand that emergency landings and accidents never happen again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So, proud Americans, it is the time to leave Okinawa. You are not liked by Okinawans at all. About the defense of Japan? LEAVE IT TO ABE.

Schopenhauer,

So you speak for all Okinawa's? You should probably walk back your statement--regarding all Okinawa's don't like Americans. I think we all understand and mostly agree that the Futenma Air Station is located in a very populated area, and there is some merit to wanting it moved. But also remember, Futenma is the only airstrip on Island that is above sea level. Both Naha and Kadena Airbase are in dangerous Tsunami territory.

As far as leaving the defense of Japan to the Japanese government, I think many American Service Members would love to not have to be stationed in Japan away from their families any longer. And it would be a great test in Japanese diplomacy to see how they'll react to China's invasive maneuvers into the area, and with the Okinawan people being so passive it would only be a matter of time before a different government was here on the island. And if you don't think that is possible, you don't understand the history and violence that has taken part here in the Pacific for the last 100 years. Most of that done by Japan and their Imperialist ideas and desire for resources and expansion.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Onaga never passes up a chance to complain about the US military. If a report came out that a US serviceman sneezed on the street and accidentally caught a local with some of the spray, he'd probably be in front of the cameras and microphones within an hour complaining about the "Outrageous conduct and germ warfare being perpetrated on the people of Okinawa."

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

You can try to boost your nationalistic feelings with whatever excuses, it does not change the truth that the vehicle lost its normal functioning and ultimately made contact with the ground in a way it is not supposed to. Crashed.

No where in the article does it state the vehicle lost functioning and no, It did not touch down in an unusual manner. It landed like helicopter would normally land, on it's landing gear.

A crash landing is when a vehicle is unable to maintain flight and the pilot is forced down due to this circumstance. In this situation, the pilot made a decision to land due to a warning light to avoid a possible crash. Hence, it is an emergency landing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nandakandamanda

As I said, I'm not seeing WIDESPREAD outrage and I said there will always be those who easily use the media to exaggerate their own point of view. I've seen exaggeration from both sides of this issue and I'm sure they'll be much more to come in the future.

I have nothing against those who work for the military, however I don't believe in spreading your military into so many foreign countries.

The governor may be exaggerating this incident but he was voted in to office on the platform of opposing US military bases in Okinawa. Agree with his reaction or not, this is one of the things he was hired for and reason for being elected.

This was a minor incident but it had potential to be much worse, thankfully it was not.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Stuart, maybe you are not seeing outrage but some are.

Quote from article: "It's outrageous," Okinawa Gov Takeshi Onaga told reporters. Okinawa Deputy Gov. Moritake Tomikawa also said, "I'm speechless. The frequency (of incidents) is too often. It cannot be helped but to think there's a systemic problem within the U.S. military."

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I'm not seeing widespread outrage. There will always be those who easily use the media to exaggerate their own point of view. I'm no fan of so many US bases being in foreign countries but this incident doesn't outrage me or add any fuel to the fire.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Despite the busload of posts about "Crash Landing", I see that all Japanese news sources use the word kinkyuuchakuriku 緊急着陸 which translates to "Emergency Landing".

So unless everyone in Okinawa reads JT and this English article, it was an "Emergency Landing". Of course that won't stop the anti-base politicians and crowd from throwing fuel on the fire and demanding that the US "stop making emergency landings".

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If the Americans were to leave, the Okinawans could use the time spent now on their endless whining to more productive pursuits - learning Mandarin, for example.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Every time an accident occurs, the government says it'll strongly protest the U.S. not to repeat such accidents. The newly installed Foreign Minister Taro Kono doesn't know there's a long history in Okinawa of many such accidents, so that he can nonchalantly say, "I want the United States to take heed" in safety measures.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

potato potato ... yankees with their broken "flying" junk

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The article was written in such a manner as to create animosity against the American military stationed in Okinawa -that are here to protect Okinawa.

The large majority of Americans here are ambassador's of good will - in return the great majority of the Okinawan people do like the Americans.

Most of the hatred directed towards Americans - is spewed forth from outsiders - that do not live among us. Hate mongers - creating hatred over an emergency landing. The landing was perfectly executed in a professional manner - compliments to the pilot.

The real issue is the relocation of Marine Air Station Futenma. I am in agreement with Governor Onaga and others, Futenma should have been relocated a long time ago.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This was not a crash landing. It was an emergency landing. Stop reporting fake news!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

So, proud Americans, it is the time to leave Okinawa. You are not liked by Okinawans at all. About the defense of Japan? LEAVE IT TO ABE.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Stand up Okinawans. You have been treated very badly by U.S. Forces and by the Japanese government. Japanese people do not care about you leaving all the dangerous roles and humiliations as a defeated country on you. Mainland Japanese are enjoying peaceful life without nuisances caused by the presences of a foreign bases near to them. It is all indebted to you.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Again and again.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Ok, most agree that this story is not exactly objective.

Referring to the helocopter as 'not demolished' makes it sound like a building rather than an aircraft. 

Also, Tomikawa says he's speechless and then continues to speak about it, also, 'outrageous' sounds like somesone saying 'I've told you a million times...'  I was expecting an 'umbelievable' to occur in his comment.

'The frequency (of incidents) is too often', come on!  Frequency is too 'high' not 'often'. 

And it is, actually, we hear far too much about the US accidednts, incidents and other related stories.  You can't argue that it continues to show the US forces in a bad light.

The English grammar needs serious attention in this article.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The incident is likely to refuel public anxiety

No, the way it's reported will fuel public anxiety

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Mainland Japanese government and its people put all the unpleasant, disagreeable, humiliating, disgusting, unwelcome, odious things as a defeated country to Okinawa.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Crash landing is the landing of an aircraft in an emergency, either in an inappropriate place or under dangerous circumstances. (Wiktionary)

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Even a blind person can see that Okinawa is too small of an island to have all of these Military Facilities on it. Okinawa is 70 miles long and an average of 7 miles wide but yet has 13 large U.S. Military Bases on it plus several JSDF Bases and missile sites. Name me another 70 mile long 7 mile wide area in the world that has so many Military Bases on it.

13 U.S. Military Bases on Okinawa but only 8 U.S. Military Bases in all of Mainland Japan but yet it is the people of Okinawa who are always called whiners and complainers and not doing enough to support the U.S. Japan Security Treaty.

Okinawa has Kadena Air Base which is the largest and most active Air Base in the Far East ( 2 runways) and then there is Naha Air Base where the JSDF share a runway (another runway is under construction) and taxiways with Naha Commercial Airport. Kadena Air Base and Naha Air Base are more than enough for the small island of Okinawa. The U.S. Marines do not need their own MCAS on Okinawa, put all Marine Corps Aircraft at MCAS Iwakuni. Relocating MCAS Futenma to Henoko is not the answer, you are only relocating the danger from one area of Okinawa to another.

The best solution for Okinawa is to remove all of the Marines from Okinawa and keep Kadena Air Base for the Air Force, White Beach for the Navy, Torii Station and Fort Buckner for the Army and those bases along with the JSDF Bases and Missile Sites on Okinawa is more than enough for the small island of Okinawa and its people to bear in support of the defense of Japan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

From its historical background, U.S. Forces on Okinawa has been treating Okinawans as aboriginal local citizens of second class and flying their military aircrafts freely over the sky of Okinawa. It is a disgrace thing of the entire Japan.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

So which is it? A crash landing or an emergency landing? They're not the same thing. Can't the reporting be better than this?

Are you kidding? Really? Better reporting?

In reality it was a preventative landing, and credit to the pilot for doing it in a area that would cause no damage or injuries.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A preventive landing is NOT a crash!

I know that, you know that, anyone with half a brain knows this too!

BUT media, politicians, anti-military protesters do not, and no they will not give the benefit of the doubt to the pilot for PREVENTING a possible crash landing, because the aforementioned people don't have the courage to admit that this pilot may have prevented something more serious from happening.

Have to admit though, I can not recall a time in over 30 years here that there have been so many incidents, involving aircraft, in such a sort time period.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

A U.S. military helicopter with four crew members aboard made a crash-landing Saturday afternoon on a small islet in Okinawa....

> No injuries resulted from the emergency landing of the UH-1 helicopter ....

> the helicopter landed due to a warning light ... the aircraft opted for a "preventive landing" .....

So which is it? A crash landing or an emergency landing? They're not the same thing. Can't the reporting be better than this?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Media is inciting Anti-U.S. Forces and Anti-Japan sentiment in Okinawa.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Inflammatory story. Clearly it succeeded in making its emergency landing and was not a crash. They just want to see the Okinawa governor flip out

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Okinawa Deputy Gov. Moritake Tomikawa also said, "I'm speechless. The frequency (of incidents) is too often. It cannot be helped but to think there's a systemic problem within the U.S. military."

There are widespread reports of issues in the U.S. military with the flight readiness and maintenance of military aircraft and helicopters. Not to mention issues with basic training, including the issues leading to the two incidents involving Navy ships last year.

I think the Deputy Governor has a legitimate point here. How many incidents have there been involving aircraft / helicopters around Okinawa in the last few months? One can reasonably wonder whether there may, indeed, be a systemic issue here.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Such things happen from time-to-time. The most important thing is that no one was hurt/killed. Sensationalizing this 'forced landing' diminishes the credibility of those whining the loudest.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

While I agree with others that a more correct term would be "Emergency Landing" or "Forced Landing" or "Hard Landing", unfortunately it appears that the term "Crash Landing" as used by the general civilian population refers to an unscheduled and sudden emergency landing with or without any damage to the aircraft or property, or injury to pilots/crew or other persons. I say unfortunate because the term obviously suggests something other than a controlled precautionary landing simply adding to the local media fever.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Stupid reporter doesn't know the difference between a crash landing and emergency landing!!  Slanted reporting by biased Japanese media trying to blame the US military for all the Okinawa problems.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

“CRASH LANDED”: yet the aircraft appears completely undamaged and intact.

My father did exactly this in New Jersey 40 years ago in the middle of a grocery store parking lot for the SAME exact reason, a Transmission Warning Light.

The aircraft DIDN’T “Crash Land”.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

You can try to boost your nationalistic feelings with whatever excuses, it does not change the truth that the vehicle lost its normal functioning and ultimately made contact with the ground in a way it is not supposed to. Crashed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A preventive landing is NOT a crash!

10 ( +16 / -6 )

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