S-3 Missing

Here’s a news item from the U.S. 7th Fleet…

JAPAN (NNS) — The four air crewmen involved in the crash of an S-3B Viking aircraft Aug. 10, operating from the San Diego, Calif.-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), have been declared dead.

The aviators were assigned to Sea Control Squadron (VS) 35, based at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., when their aircraft impacted Kita Iwo Jima, an uninhabited island located approximately 39 nautical miles north of Iwo Jima.

Aircraft wreckage has been found, and recovery operations continue.

The air crew was conducting a routine training mission as part of the Joint Air-Sea Exercise (JASEX) ’04 with the Stennis and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) carrier strike groups in the vicinity of Iwo Jima island chain when communications were lost at approximately 7:42 p.m. (local time), Aug. 10. Helicopters, other aircraft and surface ships from the Stennis strike group were immediately vectored toward the area of the crash site.

The U.S. Navy is grateful for the support of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces, which assisted in the search and rescue operations, and continue to support ongoing recovery efforts. Approximately 41 U.S. Navy and Air Force search and rescue personnel are currently actively engaged in the recovery, as well.

A memorial service for the air crew is scheduled for Aug. 15 aboard Stennis, currently deployed to the western Pacific Ocean.

Names of the aviators involved in the incident are being withheld until the family notification process is complete.

The U.S. Navy is actively conducting a mishap investigation into the cause of the incident.

Here’s the original story…
” USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea — An S-3B Viking aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) was flying in the vicinity of Iwo Jima island chain when communications were lost at approximately 7:42 p.m. (local time), Aug. 10.

Four naval aviators aboard the aircraft were listed as missing after failing to return to the carrier.

The aircraft, assigned to Sea Control Squadron (VS) 35, based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, was conducting a routine training mission in the western Pacific Ocean as part of the Joint Air-Sea Exercise (JASEX) ’04 with the Stennis and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) carrier strike groups.

Search-and-rescue and support efforts are currently under way by both Stennis and Kitty Hawk carrier strike groups.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.”

My condolences go to family members.