TOKYO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Search and rescue operations for three missing sailors following the crash of a U.S. Navy plane earlier in the week in the sea southeast of Okinawa have been called off, the United States 7th Fleet said Friday.
"The U.S. Navy ceased search and rescue operations at 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time (0100 GMT) on Nov. 24 for three sailors not immediately recovered after a C-2A Greyhound crashed on the afternoon of Nov. 22," the Japan-based U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement.
Eight sailors were soon rescued after the C-2A Greyhound transportation plane crashed on Wednesday afternoon en route to the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan.
The carrier was conducting a drill with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), the Japanese defense ministry and the U.S. Navy said.
After the accident, the aircraft carrier was then deployed to search for the missing sailors.
"USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) led the combined search and rescue efforts with units from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)," the U.S. 7th Fleet said.
"During the course of two days, eight U.S. Navy and JMSDF ships, three helicopter squadrons and maritime patrol aircraft covered nearly 1000 square nautical miles in the search for the missing sailors," it added.
The names of the missing sailors are being withheld until the next of kin are notified, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.
The crash added to a series of mishaps suffered by the 7th fleet this year, including multiple fatal ship collisions.
A recent U.S. government report said the fleet is operating beyond its capacity and its service members lack sufficient training and rest.
