The Air Force has identified Senior Master Sgt. James Swartz, an aerospace propulsion superintendent with the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing, as the airman who died Sunday after being swept out to sea off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.
Still missing are Georgia Air National Guard member Master Sgt. Daniel Paschal, an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 116th ACW, and active-duty Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Schoenhoff, an instrument and flight control systems specialist with the 461st Air Control Wing, according to a release from Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
The airmen were on the island's northern coast around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday when they were overcome by the waves from Typhoon Phanfone.
Swartz was found by Japanese Coast Guard members and pulled from the sea. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to Kadena Air Base news release.
The airmen were not performing any duties at the time of the accident, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren said in an email to Air Force Times. They were on temporary duty at Kadena.
On Sunday, HH-60s from the base and the Japanese Coast Guard searched for the two airmen, but rough seas complicated rescue efforts. A joint search and rescue operation by the Air Force and Japanese Coast Guard resumed Monday, the Air Force said.
"Our hearts go out to the 116th and 461st members and their families during this time of loss and unknown outcomes," said Col. Kevin Clotfelter, 116th ACW commander, in a release Monday. "Please keep your thoughts and prayers of support directed toward all those affected."
Typhoon Phanfone hit the southwestern coast of Japan on Sunday, with winds of up to 90 miles per hour after hitting the regions of Okinawa and Kyushu, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.
Warnings of approaching storms, as well as typhoon tips and precautions, are broadcast over American Forces Network-Okinawa radio and television. Airmen can find more information about how to prepare for Typhoon season — June 1 to November 30 — on the base page or on Kadena's weather flight's homepage "Shogun Weather."
