U.S. F-15 crashes off Okinawa

A U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron at U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa crashed on August 21 in the Pacific Ocean about 100 kilometers south of the Okinawan main island.

Also on the day, another F-15 made an emergency landing at the Kadena base.

The U.S. Air Base has recently experienced F-15 accidents in succession, including two fires on aircraft on July 31 and August 1.

Mayor Hentona Choichi of Chatan Town said, "If a U.S. fighter crashed in a densely populated area, it would be disastrous." As the mayor of the town disturbed by U.S. fighters flying overhead everyday, Hentona was determined to protest against the dangers of such accidents. (end)