At least one Marine was rescued from waters 200 miles off the coast of Japan after two aircraft carrying seven were involved in a refueling accident on Thursday morning (local time), NBC News reports.
"We are still searching for six Marines," Lt. Col. Kelly Frushour of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force said.
A search and rescue operation got underway immediately after a KC-130, an extended-range tanker, and a F/A-18, a combat jet, had the accident.
Five Marines were believed to be aboard the KC-130 and two on the F/A-18 when the mishap occurred, according to a military official.
The one Marine had been found alive by about 9:00 a.m. local time. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force found him off the coast of Iwakuni, Frushour confirmed to NBC News.
The aircraft launched from the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan for a regularly scheduled training exercise.