The Marine Corps has identified one of the pilots killed following a collision Thursday between an F/A-18 Hornet and a KC-130 Hercules off the coast of Japan.
Capt. Jahmar F. Resilard, 28, was pronounced dead after he was found during search and rescue operations off Kochi on Dec. 6, officials said in a release Friday.
Resilard, a Miramar, Florida native, served as an F/A-18 pilot with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA(AW)-242), stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
"The Bats are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. Jahmar Resilard,” said Lt. Col. James Compton, VMFA(AW)-242 commanding officer. “He was an effective and dedicated leader who cared for his Marines and fellow fighter pilots with passion. His warm and charismatic nature bound us together and we will miss him terribly. We honor his service and his contribution to the Marine Corps and our great nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
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Officials said Thursday rescuers have recovered two of the seven crew members involved in the crash, which occurred during routine refueling training around 2:00 a.m. local time.
Five Marines are still missing.
The U.S. 7th Fleet is supporting ongoing search-and-rescue operations with a Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft flying out of Kadena Air Base, Japan.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japanese Coast Guard are also providing assistance, III Marine Expeditionary Force officials said Thursday. That includes Japanese ships, a submarine and helicopters, according to a report Military Times.
Additionally, Air Force pararescue and special tactics airmen with the 353rd Special Operations Group and 320th Special Tactics Squadron out of Kadena are involved in the massive hunt, which includes MC-130 Combat Talons and CV-22 Ospreys, Military Times said.
The Marine aircraft launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni early Thursday morning for routine refueling training. The accident occurred about 200 miles off the coast of Japan, officials said.
The other Marine, reportedly one of the F/A-18 pilots as well, is in stable condition, according to Military Times.
--- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
