U.S. Navy P-8A and Destroyer Join JSDF Search for Japanese F-35A Pilot
By Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs Office
| | April 9, 2019
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airman Roy Vega directs a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, on the flight line of Misawa Air Base after a Search and Rescue mission for a missing Japanese F-35 fighter jet Pilot. VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson)
A P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, lands on the flight line of Misawa Air Base after a Search and Rescue mission for a missing Japanese F-35 fighter jet Pilot. VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson)
A P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, taxis on the flight line of Misawa Air Base after a Search and Rescue mission for a missing Japanese F-35 fighter jet Pilot. VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome D. Johnson)
File photo of a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Juan S. Sua)
File photo of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63). (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)
MISAWA, Japan – U.S. Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and a guided-missile destroyer are assisting Japanese-led search and rescue efforts for the pilot of a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A missing since Apr. 9.
The F-35A lost radar contact approximately 85 miles east of Misawa Air Base.
A P-8A joined JASDF aircraft and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force ships searching the area overnight.
Additional flights are continuing today.
Guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) is sailing to the search area now.
U.S. 7th Fleet provides security alongside allies and partners throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors.
The P-8A aircraft are assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 and Patrol Squadron (VP) 5. Both squadrons are homeported in Jacksonville, Fla. and are on rotational deployments to 7th Fleet out of Misawa, Japan.
Stethem is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.