“A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa at approximately 2:45 p.m. today,” US Navy Task Force 70 Public Affairs said.
“The names of the crew and passengers are being withheld pending next of kin notification,” it added. “Personnel recovery is underway and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff.”
The US Navy said the aircraft was en-route to the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea.
USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the crash is not known at this time.