An HC-130J Combat King II with a malfunctioning refueling hose approaches Misawa Air Base, Japan, in this image posted to the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page on July 21, 2025. (Facebook)
Japan’s Tohoku Defense Bureau said it was not informed of an in-flight incident involving a U.S. military aircraft that landed at Misawa Air Force Base last month.
The HC-130J Combat King II, operated by the California Air National Guard, landed safely at the U.S. installation in northeastern Japan on July 18 because of an issue with its refueling hose, the 35th Fighter Wing confirmed Monday.
“During a training flight, a mechanical indication resulted in the fuel hose being unable to retract,” wing spokesman Capt. LeeRoy Stark said in an emailed statement. “The aircrew conducted safety checklists, avoided flying over populated areas, and landed the aircraft at Misawa Air Base without incident.”
The HC-130J is a long-range variant of the C-130J airlifter, used for personnel recovery, helicopter aerial refueling and other missions in austere environments, according to the Air Force.
Photos purporting to be of the incident were posted on July 21 to the popular, but unofficial, Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page. They show a refueling hose trailing behind the aircraft as it approaches the runway.
A spokesman for the defense bureau — a regional arm of Japan’s Ministry of Defense — said by phone Monday that officials there were unaware the incident had taken place. Some Japanese government officials speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
The 35th Fighter Wing works with visiting units to ensure compliance with flight safety protocols and emergency procedures, Stark said.
“We maintain coordination with Government of Japan officials to ensure the safety of surrounding communities,” he wrote.
The aircraft was participating in Resolute Force Pacific, a large-scale multinational exercise spanning the Indo-Pacific region. The drills began July 10 and end Friday.
Pacific Air Forces said the exercise involves more than 12,000 personnel and 350 aircraft across more than 50 locations covering 3,000 miles.
