A C-2A „Greyhound“ aircraft with 11 people on board went down Wednesday afternoon around 930 kilometres (500 nautical miles) southeast of Okinawa. The decision to abandon the search and rescue comes after two days of operations involving seven ships from the US Navy and Japan’s Maritime
Tokyo (AFP) – The US Navy on Friday called off its search for three American sailors missing since their plane crashed in the Philippine Sea.
A C-2A „Greyhound“ aircraft with 11 people on board went down Wednesday afternoon around 930 kilometres (500 nautical miles) southeast of Okinawa. Eight sailors were rescued shortly after the accident.
All eight „are in good condition at this time,“ the navy said in a statement.
The decision to abandon the search and rescue comes after two days of operations involving seven ships from the US Navy and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force, three helicopter squadrons and maritime patrol aircraft.
„Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost shipmates and their families,“ said the statement.
„As difficult as this is, we are thankful for the rapid and effective response that led to the rescue of eight of our shipmates,“ it said.
