helo crash

Well we just found out that we are staying here for another 3 years. Maybe during this tour I will be able to write something more interesting and profound. Oh yes the big news of the past week- the helicopter crash in Okinawa by the college and apartment buildings. Since my husband is an Air traffic control supervisor at Futenma I got to hear all about it. I even heard the tapes. This helo lost it's tail rotor and the whole boon! Like something that was holding it together was all missing or something. Most Marine Corps air stations are located in pretty remote areas. Out of the way from any real civilization but Futenma is literally right in the center of a town called Ginowan. Luckily no civilians were hurt as none were around. All 3 crewmembers were injured, the pilot seriously. The helo crashed and burned in-between the college and these apartment buildings. A week before the OKinawans were enraged over the crash, a 7 inch metal piece fell off of an F-18 and landed in someone's yard. Now a crash. People have been protesting the entire week to get Futenma to move or close down. Something that isn't possible. Then the Japanese were pissed because reporters and OKinawan police couldn't enter the crash site. They likened that situation to Iraq in one report. Under the Status of Armed Forces agreement between the US and Japan we have full control of these types of accidents. I think the Okinawan police should be able to do a joint investigsation and I'm sure they will when we are ready. At first the Japanese television stations were reporting 27 civilian injuries but they were spininng it to infuriate the Japanese citizens. The Mayor of Ginowan is totally overreacting but the Prime Minister, from what I hear, understands that this was an accident and accidents happen. I think the American military handled it perfectly to preserve the evidence and to keep civilians safe. The Japanese don't realize this. I feel for them but that mayor is crazy. He is quoted saying, "We need reassurance from the American government that this type of accident will never happen again." HELLO! "Oh yes Mr. Mayor. We promise we won't have any more accidents - EVER!" What ever. He said our apology wasn't sincere. Can you believe that?