US Flies AH-1 helicopter despite Suspension Request

January 25, 2018

Tokyo- US forces in Japan have flown an AH-1 attack helicopter despite Tokyo's request for flight suspension for AH-1s following an emergency landing by one of them on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said Thursday.

The Defense Ministry is confirming the US side's intention behind the flight, Nishimura told a press conference.

An AH-1 helicopter from the Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, made an emergency landing on a municipal helipad on the Okinawa island of Tonaki on Tuesday.

In response to the incident, the government asked for emergency checks on all such helicopters and the suspension of their flights until the checks are completed.

Government sources said an AH-1 helicopter took off from the Futenma base around 2:52 p.m. Wednesday (5:52 a.m. GMT). Jiji Press