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October 1, 2004
[Have an opinion about the issues discussed in this article?
Sound
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By David Allen,
Stars and Stripes Pacific Edition
FUTENMA MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Okinawa — Marines
began to test fly CH-53D
Sea Stallion helicopters here Wednesday, immediately drawing
the ire of Okinawa officials.
Okinawa prefectural officials protested the resumption of flights
to the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, complaining that it was
too soon after the Aug. 13 crash of a Sea Stallion at Okinawa International
University, next to Futenma MCAS.
Three crewmen were injured in the crash. No civilian injuries were
reported.
Debris from the helicopter, which clipped an administration building
and burst into flames when it hit the ground, fell over a wide residential
area, damaging some buildings and cars. Opponents of the base claim
the accident proved that the air station, which is in the middle
of an urban area, poses a hazard to the community.
The flights that began Wednesday were “hover checks,” according
to a Marine Corps release issued Thursday.
“All CH-53D helicopters were thoroughly inspected for safety and
cleared to resume mission-essential flights,” said 2nd Lt. Antony
Andrious, spokesman for Marines on Okinawa. “Since that time, and
as part of the normal maintenance process, these aircraft have had
numerous safety and maintenance inspections.
“Hover checks are conducted within 25 meters of the ground and
allow operational checks of all aircraft systems,” Andrious said.
“They are conducted within the boundaries of MCAS Futenma. Once
hover checks are satisfactorily completed, a post-maintenance functional
check flight is required to complete the maintenance action.”
Those flights also will be conducted over the air station, Andrious
said.
“Only after the maintenance action is complete will the 3rd MEF
consider resumption of regular flights,” Andrious said.
He said Lt. Gen Robert R. Blackman, commanding general of the 3rd
Marine Expeditionary Force, authorized the test flights within the
confines of Futenma MCAS.
Flights of all Ch-53D heavy-lift helicopters at Futenma were suspended
after the accident, with the exception of six Sea Stallions that
left Aug. 22 for duty in the Persian Gulf with the 31st Marine Expeditionary
Unit.
The investigation into the Aug. 13 crash is continuing. Preliminary
reports indicated the mishap was caused by a missing retaining device
in the tail rotor, which led to loss of control of the aircraft.
“U.S. Forces Japan notified appropriate government of Japan officials
of the intent to conduct hover checks,” Andrious said. Japan’s government
“acknowledges the necessity to conduct hover checks and has notified
the Okinawan prefectural government of the U.S. intent to resume
these CH-53D maintenance procedures. Local officials on Okinawa
also were advised of the activity.”
He said U.S. Forces Japan and Marine Forces Japan officials will
notify Japan and Okinawa officials “when a decision is made to resume
essential flight operations.”
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