--- title: "Marine F/A-18 And KC-130 Collide During Refueling Sending Both Into Waters Off Japan (Updated)" description: "The aircraft were on a routine training mission out of MCAS Iwakuni, which is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan." date: "2018-12-05" modified: "2018-12-06" authors: - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/25327/marine-f-a-18-and-kc-130-collide-during-refueling-sending-both-into-waters-off-japan" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "C-130" - "F/A-18" - "Fighters" - "Indo-Pacific" - "Japan" - "KC-130" - "Naval Aviation" - "News & Features" - "Sea" - "Transports" - "U.S. Marine Corps" tags: - "Aerial Refueling" - "Crash" - "F/A-18" - "Hercules" - "Hornet" - "Japan" - "KC-130" - "Marines" - "MCAS Iwakuni" - "Mishap" --- # Marine F/A-18 And KC-130 Collide During Refueling Sending Both Into Waters Off Japan (Updated) ![]() *www.twz.com* Details remain extremely limited at this time, but what we know is that a two-seat F/A-18D collided with a KC-130, supposedly during a refueling operation off the coast of Japan. Both aircraft crashed into the sea. A large search and rescue operation is now underway. Supposedly two were onboard the Hornet, which would make it a Marine F/A-18D, and five were onboard the KC-130. Both had launched out of [Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni]() and the mishap occurred at around 2:00am local time. ![message-editor%2F1544047910406-1280px-usmc-101006-m-5889h-0281.jpg]() *USMC ATARS equipped F/A-18D refueling from a KC-130. , *USMC** We have no idea what happened, [but aerial refuel]() is a [very challenging task](), especially at night. The base hosts a single [Marine Hornet squadron that rotates]() from the United States on a regular basis. Often times these are from Marine Strike Fighter All-Weather squadrons that fly the missionized F/A-18D. Two squadrons were the norm up until the F-35B came online operationally and deployed to Japan. The base has seen serious expansion in recent years and is now home to fixed-wing aircraft belonging to CVW-5, *USS Ronald Reagan's* air wing, which moved from its long-established home at NAF Atsugi [earlier in the year.]() MCAS Iwakuni is also home to the 'Sumos' of VMGR-152, a Marine KC-130J squadron that is highly active throughout the Western Pacific. You can read all about this wonderful unit [in this piece of mine.]() We have no idea if this was the unit involved in the mishap, though. https://youtube.com/embed/R2fUq4XvfNA We will be live updating this post with more information as it comes available. ***Update: 2:50pm PST—*** I have some good news here. One of the lost crewmen has been found alive, but keep in mind that these details can still change: https://twitter.com/_/status/1070450261284569089 ***Update: 3:35pm PST—*** Hearing this happened about 200 miles off the coast. ***Update: 4:57pm PST—*** USMC confirms that one of seven the crewmen lost between both aircraft is being medically evaluated at this time. Here is the complete official statement: > MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan - The United States Marine Corps confirms one of the personnel involved in the mishap is being evaluated by competent medical authorities at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. > The search and rescue operations continue for the remaining six U.S. Marines who were aboard a KC-130 Hercules and an F/A-18 Hornet involved in a mishap about 200 miles off of the coast of Japan around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6. > We are thankful for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's efforts as they immediately responded in the search and rescue operation. > The circumstances of the mishap are currently under investigation. We will provide additional information as it becomes available. ***Update: 5:24pm PST—*** This isn't too surprising, but the survivor was one of the two crew aboard the F/A-18D. ***Update: 9:00am PST—*** Two Marines were rescued, [but one has died](). The one that lived continues to receive medical care. There is no word on the KC-130 or its crew at this time. A search and rescue effort continues some 200 miles off the southern coast of Japan. U.S. P-8 Poseidons and SH-60s, as well as a number of Japanese search and rescue assets, continue their search for the missing aircraft and its crew. *Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com* ## Author Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day. ### Author social links [Twitter]()