U.S. Airmen Swept Away by Typhoon - At least three US Air Force officers have been swept away by typhoon Phanfone in the Japanese island of Okinawa on Sunday while allegedly strolling on the shore and taking pictures of the storm.
The Air Force has confirmed that the three men were carried away by the force of the typhoon into the sea. Reports indicate that the body of one of the officers has been found. But there have been no signs of the two others.
U.S. Air Force and Japanese helicopters have been searching for the three men on Monday. But their efforts were temporarily put to a halt by another wave from the Typhoon, which only subsided sometime at noon.
Japanese officials have noted that the search has been put off until Tuesday. In a statement to the press, Kadena officials explained that "The search for the two Airmen missing at sea is on hold from sunset Oct. 6 until sunrise Oct. 7 on Okinawa...HH-60s from Kadena Air Base and the Japanese Coast Guard searched for more than 24 hours. Rough seas are complicating the rescue efforts."
Thousands of people sought shelter across the Kanto region as the city's roads, railroads and air transport system were all shut down. Japanese weather officials had warned that the typhoon could bring about 3 to 4 inches of rain with it to the Tohoku region. Reports indicate that recovery operations on Mount Ontake after the recent volcanic eruption were temporarily put to a hold over the weekend as the treacherous weather made working impossible.
Meanwhile, 13WMAZ has uncovered the identity of one of the US air service personnel who went missing. According to a report on the famous broadcaster's site, the man, whose name was given as Joshua Schoenhoff, was identified by Pastor Andy Cook of Warner Robins' Shirley Hills Baptist Church.
Schoenhoff is one of the two airmen who are yet to be found after being swept by the typhoon. U.S. and Japanese authorities have failed to disclose the identity of the officer who was reportedly pulled out of the water dead.
The U.S. government has maintained military presence in Japan since the end of the Second World War, The U.S. troops in the country have been influential in securing regional stability and protecting the interests of the U.S. and Japan. Currently, reports indicate that there are about 25,000 U.S. soldiers in the island country.
