ASDF F-2 Fighter with three fuel tanks - one mounted on each wing, and one attached to the fuselage (Source: Mariana)
While accidents involving parts falling off the F-15 have proven quite common recently, it is the F-2 that is making headlines with this latest incident near Guam.
According to NHK, who have a video report accompanying their article, on Feb. 16th, while conducting joint training with US forces (presumably Exercise COPE NORTH) over the Pacific, two fuel tanks fell from an ASDF F-2 fighter. According to the ASDF, the tanks were both seen falling into the sea and there are no reports of any damage as a result of the accident.
The tanks are 6 meters long with a diameter of 80 cm and a weight of 170 kg a piece when empty.
The ASDF is currently investigating the incident and searching for the tanks, so if you spot two floating torpedo-shaped objects in the Pacific near Guam this week, be sure to contact someone at Andersen Air Force Base where the ASDF are housed during COPE NORTH.
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A former contributor to World Intelligence (Japan Military Review), James Simpson joined Japan Security Watch in 2011, migrating with his blog Defending Japan. He has a Masters in Security Studies from Aberystwyth University and is currently living in Kawasaki, Japan.
His primary interests include the so-called 'normalization' of Japanese security (i.e. militarization), and the political impact of the abduction issue with North Korea.
James Simpson has 254 post(s) on Japan Security Watch
2 comments
arkhangelsk says:
Feb 18, 2012
The JASDF claims human error, according to your article, which is at least different from the usual mechanical error.
While I normally growl at Japanese media for over tendency to over-generalize single incidents (look at uproar over Aegis running over enthusiastically closing fishing boat), these incidents ARE getting too common to be funny.
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James Simpson says:
Feb 18, 2012
Yeah, I wasn't so sure on how to translate the pilot's statement – but I did assume that he meant he released them.
In this case, the ASDF is just lucky that it happened over the Pacific and not over a populated area.
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