2 US F-35 fighters make unscheduled landing at Japanese airport
Planes intended to land at US military air base in Iwakuni, severe weather forced emergency landings
ISTANBUL
Two US F-35 fighter jets made emergency landings Wednesday at Matsuyama Airport in Japan’s western Ehime Prefecture.
The aircraft refueled at the airport, after running low on fuel, and left shortly after 4 p.m. local time (0700GMT), according to Japan’s Transport Ministry, Jiji Press reported.
The jets intended to land at the US military air base in Iwakuni city in Japan’s western Yamaguchi Prefecture, after completing a mission, according to the US.
The military air base had closed its runway, however, due to severe weather that affected Japan, forcing the planes to make unscheduled landings at the Matsuyama Airport.
Severe weather and heavy snowfall have continued in Japan, disrupting air traffic and train services across the country, especially on the west coast, Kyodo News reported.
While no casualties or injuries were reported, it caused a 15-minute-long disruption to the landing of a civilian aircraft at the airport.
US military forces have been stationed in Japan since 1960 under the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.
