![\"c-130](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/c-130-lights-e1544545516474.jpg\")
The search for missing crew that began after a KC-130J and a Marine Corps F\/A-18D Hornet crashed Dec. 6 has been called off. (Marine Corps)\nBy: Tara Copp and Kyle Rempfer <\/p>\n
The search for missing crew that began after a KC-130J and a Marine Corps F\/A-18D Hornet crashed Dec. 6 has been called off. (Marine Corps)
\nBy: Tara Copp and Kyle Rempfer <\/p>\n
The Marine Corps has declared the five Marines missing after a mid-air collision during an Air to Air (ATA) refueling evolution. Those of us with an aviation background knew there was but the slimmest chance of anyone from the C-130 surviving, but there is always hope. I presume there now will be a recovery effort, both for deceased crewmembers and any wreckage including the cockpit data recorder.These may provide clues as to what occurred, so measures may be taken to prevent another ATA mishap. <\/p>\n
The search for a Marine Corps KC-130 and its five missing crew members has been called off after days of intense rescue operations over a wide swath of deep waters off the coast of Japan failed to locate the aircraft.<\/p>\n
The Marine Corps has pronounced the five crew members deceased.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have made the determination to end the search and rescue operations for the crew of our KC-130J aircraft which was involved in a mishap off the southern coast of Japan and to declare that these Marine warriors are deceased,” Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith, III Marine Expeditionary Force commander, said in an announcement Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery possible effort was made to recover our crew and I hope the families of these selfless Americans will find comfort in the incredible efforts made by U.S., Japanese, and Australian forces during the search,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
The KC-130?s flight data and cockpit voice recorders have still not been located, \u201cmaking it premature to speculate about wreckage recovery,\u201d Smith added.<\/p>\n
The aircraft was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and held the call sign \u201cSumo.”<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of us in the Sumo family are extremely saddened following the announcement of the conclusion of search and rescue operations,\u201d Marine Corps Lt. Col. Mitchell T. Maury, commanding officer of VMGR-152, said. \u201cWe know this difficult decision was made after all resources were exhausted in the vigorous search for our Marines.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Fair winds and following seas, Marines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"