HONOLULU - The Coast Guard is responding to a report of downed military aircraft off Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu, Friday.
Responders are searching for survivors in a debris field located about two and a half miles north of Haleiwa.
At 11:38 p.m. Thursday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification of two possible downed military helicopters, each reportedly with six personnel aboard.
Watchstanders at the Sector transferred the case to the Coast Guard District 14 Command Center, also in Honolulu. Watchstanders at the District directed the launch of Coast Guard aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point and requested assistance from other local agencies.
Just after midnight, the Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter arrived on scene and located a debris field.
Crews involved in the search are:
Coast Guard
-MH-65 Dolphin helicopter
-HC-130 Hercules airplane
Navy
-MH-60 helicopter from Kaneohe Bay
Honolulu Fire Department Helicopter
Rescue Boat
The Coast Guard has also directed the Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska to get underway to the scene. Ahi is an 87-foot patrol boat currently in Maui. Kiska is a 110-foot patrol boat in Hilo.
Conditions are reportedly mostly cloudy skies with light southeast wind and scattered showers. A high surf advisory is in effect for the north facing shore of Oahu with 10- to 15-foot waves building to 25- to 30-foot waves later in the day.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Marine Corps.
For questions specific to the Marine Corps, please contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs officer at 808-477-8308.