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© 2018 AFP
U.S. military copter makes emergency landing on remote Japanese island
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© 2018 AFP
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Yubaru
Something just aint right here. The MC has been doing a relatively great job up until recently about keeping these incidents damn close to zero, but now?
I wonder if there is a problem with supplies? Is it the age of the helicopters? Is there a systematic problem? What? This is just happening too much recently and I for one can not blame the folks for being very concerned.
I don't advocate the "Get out the pitchforks!" Shrek mentality of response, but I do think that it's prudent for the USMC to seriously consider grounding it's helicopters here in Okinawa until they know for sure what's happening, and in the process, invite a qualified team of Japanese/SDF types, who know about helicopters , to tag along as well! Show some open cooperation here.
maybeperhapsyes
A remote island.
Probably still too close to an elementary school for some.
Do yourselves a favor my American brothers... pack your bags and leave Japan to fend for themselves.
They claim they can do it.
Put up or shut up.
PTownsend
Maybe one of the many US military contractors or active military members here in Japan can answer this question. Since Trump took office, has there been a decrease in budgeting for maintenance of military equipment, or maybe has less emphasis been placed on maintenance?
I understand correlation and causation don't always match up evenly, but it does seem recently that these accidents are becoming more common.
And if Trump fans want to take credit for economic gains, shouldn't they also accept the problems that have resulted in the last year?
kwatt
Helicopters seems too old or junks. Wonder they can use such junks and fight when war broke out. Better scrap these.
thepersoniamnow
Its probably normal to have these malfunctions.
It is not normal to report each one as national news.
In other news, my car’s broke again guys.
maybeperhapsyes
PTownsend
I'm thinking that Trump is very pro military. Given his continued war rhetoric. So I'd be very surprised if he'd cut the budgets. Certainly in the Asia Pacific region.
Helicopters are just very complex machines. Older ones more so.
extanker
I'm willing to bet that most of these warning light induced landings are only being done because the Marines are being extra cautious for the benefit of the Okinawans. I doubt this helicopter would have had any trouble finishing its flight and returning safely but they would rather shut it down than risk a one in a million chance of the helicopter crashing. But this extra level of caution is being twisted by the media to be 'US military helicopters falling out of the sky' to fan the anti-US flames.
maybeperhapsyes
extanker
Good points. Never considered that.
Bwangi Kilonzo
Its time Japan built up its military to defend themselves. I wonder where they will store all their defense stuff..
Will they fly it around too?
papigiulio
@extanker well said, always good to see an issue from multiple angles before making any judgement.
Matt Hartwell
I am starting to get deeply suspicious that these helicopters are under attack from a third party and the U.S cannot admit it.
The scale of these incidents now are no coincidence.
Kaerimashita
They appear to be dropping like flies.
kwatt
Why not US military let JSDF take more roles of US military forces to protect own country. If some bases are closed, JSDF will positively defend/protect without US military. US military would not be accused by locals about any accidents. There are enough number of SDF members and good weapons bought from the US except nuclear weapons. It seems about time to for JSDF do it in the future. US military there is fundamentally logistic support only to Japan from the security treaty of US and Japan.
Tom Denk
Yup.. many reason - so maybe its time for the USMC find them ? But first shut those heli's down NOW - and stop telling lies they are "safe". Maybe a good time to start showing a bit respect & consideration for the guest country ?
Matt Hartwell. : Good point Im sure there must be Chinese or NK Spy hidding within the USMC, probably dressed up as Henoko Protester daytime and nighttime hampering the AH-1 & Ospreys.
nandakandamanda
Sounds as if the warning light worked just fine, and they got the bird down safely on a heli pad. Have I missed anything?
Goodlucktoyou
can already do, 6th biggest army in the world.
as some other posters suggested, america should leave and build up guam (probably japan will fund), or build a fake island. and as global warming doesn't exist according trump, you don't have to worry about rising sea levels. perfect.
SaikoPhysco
At this point.... the Japanese Government needs to restrict all U.S. Helicopter activity to just flying over military bases or extremely rural non populated areas. Either this is "fake news" or there is a real problem.
toshiko
US do not pay US military costs in Japan. Japan pay.
kwatt
It seems that they were just lucky to be able to park it there, If there were no place or no lsland nearby, they might have crashed down into the sea, because some other helicopters recently have not made it to go back to the base after they were out of control.
Halwick
Another sky is falling....or rather another U.S. Marine-helicopter-is-falling-out-of-the-sky story.
Agree. But wouldn't that conflict with the Article 9 restriction? isn't the JSDF currently using U.S. built equipment and will soon be acquiring the much maligned, but newer Ospreys?
Maybe JSDF should buy Russian or Chinese helicopters that you all think are better and more reliable than U.S. equipment?
Yes. When an incident involving a JSDF helicopter occurs, lets see if this same media publicizes it. I doubt it or doubt they'll report as frequent as they wouldn't want to make the JSDF lose face.
darknuts
They already do. JSDF is primarily responsible for the defense of Japan. They are the first responder a. The US gets involved only upon request.
Not true. The US pays a substantial amount of money maintaining these bases along with Japan.
kwatt
There are Ground, Air, and Maritime SDF under Article 9 of the constitution. There is no conflict to defend its own country. but no first offense. SDF will not (can not) do same strategic way as US military do/did. It seems that Japan is always buying US built weapons and handling them very well. It is said that Japan is going to buy 10-20 Ospreys, 30-40 stealth F-35s, 2 Aegis Ashores,,, etc in the future. JSDF will be able to control them well, but it takes time. Remember US miliatary is fundamentally logistic support only here in Japan.
Goodlucktoyou
so far 17 V-22B Osprey for more than $3billion.
kwatt
If you are right, Why the most biggest US miliatry bases are still sitting there for decades? US miliatry should let JSDF take more of US military bases for Ground, Air, Maritime forces if JSDF is primarily responsible for the defence of Japan. JSDF have much smaller bases only all over the country.
toshiko
What US get paid by Japan is called Omoiyari. Huge. In sring Japan pay. Korea has been saying, too.
Yubaru
I wondered about this as well, but the one thing that then pops up is then the reverse of just how many times, (or if there were even any at all) did the pilots keep flying over the island WITH warning lights flashing, and they not making precautionary landings?
There have to be maintenance records available, yet if there has been a change in policy with regards to issues like this, that too should be brought out in the open, or at least shared with the proper authorities that can be trusted, if the information is determined to be confidential in nature, due to military restrictions.
Who can then tell the media to tone it down as well!
cleo
Because they're there to serve US interests, not to protect Japan.
When Hell freezes over and the cows come skating home. The US wants the bases for the US.
Toasted Heretic
I wonder how many more incidents it will take?
Meanwhile, the lackeys and collaborationists will continue to insist that Japan will be in peril should the occupiers ever leave. Classic tactics.
pacint
Reading JT you would think this is a local problem only but it isn't plenty of similar reports from overseas. Like the recent AH-64 Apache crash.
Many of those airframes seem to be dated and most likely should have been replaced with newer models.
Mar044
Days without an accident sign reset to zero...
chisineko
more indications that the US can not adequately fund both welfare and the military
englisc aspyrgend
Yep, but all the dictatorships can, they just don't have any welfare.
extanker
Where is all the news about JSDF aircraft having warning lights flash? Or ANA airliners delayed while they check a warning light? Hate to break it to you, it happens all the time, especially with military equipment. But the Marines did the right thing and safely landed an aircraft, not on a farm or a school yard, but at an actual heliport, because of a warning light and everybody is losing their minds.
TheLizardKing
What?! Again? What's going on here? The frequency of these incidents is really unusual...
JWTNSSN
It is time for the marines to come home, why are they still occupying Okinawa after 7 decades.
mmwkdw
North Korea and Russia must really be feeling very confident these days...
englisc aspyrgend
They are, though their military equipment has just as many problems if not more, they just don't allow anybody to report it or nasty things happen to said reporter and family!