‘Relentless’ search on for 3 missing in aircraft crash

An intense air and sea search was underway for three missing U.S. service members after a Navy aircraft plunged into the Philippine Sea on Wednesday, the Navy said.

The C-2A Greyhound cargo plane with 11 people aboard crashed while conducting a routine transport flight from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy said. Eight survivors, plucked from the sea by Navy helicopters, were taken to the carrier and reported to be in good condition.

“Our entire focus is on finding all of our sailors,” Rear Adm. Marc Dalton said. “U.S. and Japanese ships and aircraft are searching the area of the crash, and we will be relentless in our efforts.”

The crash occurred about 500 miles southeast of Okinawa at 2:45 p.m. Japan time, the Navy said.

President Trump tweeted: “The @USNavy is conducting search and rescue following aircraft crash. We are monitoring the situation. Prayers for all involved.”

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the Senate Armed Service Committee was closely monitoring the ongoing investigation to determine what happened.

“Praying for all involved in @USNavy aircraft crash as search & rescue efforts continue,” he tweeted.

The military said the names of those involved were being withheld until their families could be informed. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

The Ronald Reagan is participating in Annual Exercise 2017, a joint training program wrapping up Sunday between the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.