Rescue search after collision between US Marine F-18 Hornet and C-130 Hercules off Japan

One US Marine has been rescued but an urgent search continues for six more after an F-18 Hornet and a C-130 Hercules collided during in-flight refuelling.

A KC-130 Hercules with its fuel lines extended. An aircraft similar to this has collided with a F/A-18D off the coast of Japan. Picture: US Marines

An air and sea search has been launched off the coast of Japan for seven US Marine aircrew after a F/A-18D Hornet fighter and a KC-130 Hercules tanker collided during a refuelling manoeuvre.

Both aircraft crashed into the sea about 300km out from their base at Iwakuni. The incident happened about 2am local time (4am AEDT).

Hercules tankers usually carry a crew of five. The Hornet involved in the crash carries two.

A US official reports Japanese search and rescue teams have pulled one of the missing Marines from the water, alive.

The rescued Marine, who ejected from the fighter, is is being treated by medical personal at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

The search for the remaining six is ongoing.

“US military and the Japanese Self-Defense planes and vessels are searching for those still missing... I hope all the members will be rescued safely as soon as possible,” Japan’s defence minister Takeshi Iwaya said.

@USMC @IIIMEF confirms one of the personnel involved in the mishap is being evaluated by competent medical authorities at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

More UPDATES here:https://t.co/C8Pb9MgXzT @USFJ_J

— U.S. Forces Japan (@USForcesJapan) December 6, 2018

“Search and rescue operations continue for US Marine aircraft that were involved in a mishap off of the coast of Japan around 2am on December 6.,” a Marine Corps news release reads.

“The aircraft involved in the mishap had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and were conducting regularly scheduled training when the mishap occurred. Japanese search and rescue aircraft immediately responded to aid in recovery.”

The Japanese coastguard said six vessels and an aircraft had been dispatched to assist in the search and rescue effort.

A US Marine F/A-18 aircraft attached to the fuel line of a Hercules tanker at dusk. Picture: US Marines

Few details are available, but the difficult refuelling manoeuvre would have been complicated by being conducted at night and any weather events at the time.

The smaller fighter approaches from the rear of the Hercules which has a fuel line trailing behind. An extendible nozzel then ‘plugs-in’ to allow fuel to flow.

A KC-130 Hercules during a refueling operation. One has crashed off Japan while attempting to refuel a US Marine F/A-18D Hornet. Picture: US Marines