U.S. helicopter makes emergency landing on Tsuken Jima, local residents concerned about danger to homes

U.S. helicopter makes emergency landing on Tsuken Jima, local residents concerned about danger to homes

Around 11:31 a.m. on June 3 on Tsuken Jima in Uruma City, a U.S. military helicopter made an emergency landing in a field near a residential area. (Photographed by small drone)


June 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The sound of an aircraft covered the island, and immediately after, apprehension enveloped residents. Late at night on June 2, a U.S. military helicopter made an emergency landing on private land on Tsuken Jima in Uruma City, where there are expansive fields. The helicopter landed only 120 meters from homes. One resident said, “I felt panicked.” The U.S. aircraft completely changed the tranquil rural landscape and spread fear among the residents.

Past 10:30 p.m. on June 2, ward head Seitetsu Tamashiro felt that the sound of the helicopter from overhead was louder than usual. A minute later, Tamashiro rushed to the site after a resident informed him that a U.S. military helicopter had made an emergency landing. Tamashiro said, “I was relieved because, happily, there were no major injuries, but I was scared thinking it may have fallen on a home.” After it was reported to the police, a briefing and the like were handled at the site. The next day, June 3, at 4:00 a.m., Tamashito said, “I plan to collaborate with the city and raise my voice in protest.”

The site was cordoned off into two areas with police tape. There were police personnel working near the inner police tape, which was close to the U.S. aircraft that made the emergency landing, and local residents and reporters watched on from next to the outer police tape.

The U.S. soldiers who were the crewmembers on the emergency-landed aircraft sat in the aircraft, waiting for assistance to arrive.

Eisuke Mori, 46, who owns the field across from the landing site, received news of the landing from a friend who came to visit, and said, “Flying overhead is very normal, but …” it was surprising to him “… for something like this to really happen.” He explained that, “If it is this way all the time it will be troublesome for field owners.”

In contrast to the U.S. soldiers, who appeared to be relaxed, sometimes residents visited the site and stared at the helicopter with apprehension.

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

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