Two P-3C patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) will be calling at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Butterworth this week. — File pic Wikipedia
KUALA LUMPUR: A Japanese commander who had helped with the search-and-rescue operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane, Flight MH370, will be in charge of two patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) calling at Butterworth.
Commander Hideki Jufuku and 37 crew will be on board the two P-3C aircraft that will be at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base there today and tomorrow for airport call and replenishment of supplies, the Japanese embassy said in a statement today.
“The P-3Cs have been actively taking part in anti-piracy operations (search operations) off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden since October last year,” it said.
The embassy said this would be the first time that the Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) was calling at an RMAF base except for the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation for the missing MH370 last year.
“Jufuku was the commander for the SAR operation for MH370 in March and April last year. He and the crew transited at the Subang airbase, and proceeded to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce to continue the operations,” the embassy said.
Jufuku’s return to Malaysia this time was to mark a symbolic event for future relations between the JSDF and RMAF as well as between Japan and Malaysia, it added.
- Source: Bernama
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