A local Okinawa resident and US Marine were lost off the Okinawa coast on March 12, after becoming trapped in the bottom of an 80-foot cliff near a popular dive site on the island. Combining efforts, airmen from Kadena Air Base and Japanese first responders helped save the two divers after a five-hour search and rescue operation. Airmen from the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kadena had a HH-60 Pave Hawk ready to carry an aircrew and pararescuers to join a search as the sun began to set. Using a winch, the pararescuemen were lowered into a spot in the cliffs where 20-foot waves were pounding the two divers. After several aborted attempts, the airmen lifted the two divers out and delivered them to Japanese fire and rescue crews by 1:30 a.m. the next morning. “It was nice to see how smoothly we worked together,” said 2nd Lt. Timothy James, a combat rescue officer with the 31st Rescue Squadron.
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
