A South Korean C-130 Hercules drops supplies at Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Wash., Aug. 6, 2017. (Nicholas Dutton/U.S. Air Force)
Japanese fighter jets intercepted a South Korean airlifter low on fuel that entered Japanese airspace without approval while diverting to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, officials from both countries said Friday.
A South Korean C-130 Hercules entered Japanese airspace without approval on July 13, a spokesman for Japan’s Joint Staff said by phone Friday.
It was en route to Andersen Air Force base, Guam, to participate in a multinational exercise, according to text messages sent to reporters by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense.
The ministry did not name the exercise, but the U.S. Air Force is conducting the large-scale Resolute Force Pacific through Aug. 8 across the Indo-Pacific, including Guam.
The C-130 burned more fuel than anticipated while rerouting around stormy weather and diverted to Kadena to refuel, according to the ministry. However, the diversion was made without prior clearance from Japanese authorities, the Joint Staff spokesman said.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled jets to intercept the C-130, but the spokesman did not provide further details.
“We transmitted to South Korea that this scramble is regrettable and asked them to take measures to prevent further instances,” he said. “But as they are our important partner, we will continue to work closely together to address the issue.”
Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.
The South Korea aircraft made an emergency landing at Kadena at an undisclosed time, refueled, and then continued its flight to Guam, according to the ministry.
The 18th Wing at Kadena acknowledged email and phone inquiries Friday but did not immediately provide responses.
South Korea is investigating the incident “regarding issues related to airspace overflight approval,” the ministry said. “The air force will reinforce the approval process again and make mutual cross validation mandatory to prevent these cases in the future.”
Resolute Force Pacific involves more than 12,000 service members and over 350 aircraft operating at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles, according to Pacific Air Forces.
Although Japan and South Korea continue to manage unresolved disputes dating to World War II, both have expanded military cooperation under U.S. leadership in response to growing threats from China and North Korea.
Two days before the Hercules incident, Japanese and South Korean fighters escorted two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bombers in an airpower demonstration near the Korean Peninsula.
Stars and Stripes reporter Yoojin Lee contributed to this report.
