2018 Pacific Ocean Aerial Collision Involving a KC-130 Hercules and F/A-18 Hornet (167981)

Incident Overview and Casualties On 6 December 2018, a four-engine KC-130 Hercules operating under the callsign 'Sumo 41' departed Iwakuni Airport for a refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (the Sumos) within the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. During a night refueling operation, the KC-130 collided with a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. Both aircraft lost control and crashed into the ocean approximately 200 miles off Muroto Cape, Japan. The United States Marine Corps confirmed the recovery of two Marines; one was in fair condition, while the other was declared deceased by competent medical personnel. All five crew members of the Hercules remained missing after two days of search and rescue operations and were presumed dead.