A U.S. Marine parachutes over a training area near Mount Fuji in Japan, Dec. 11, 2023. (Scott Aubuchon/U.S. Marine Corps)
TOKYO — A group of U.S. Marine parachutists landed on sports fields and private property after strong winds blew them out of a training area near Mount Fuji on Tuesday, according to U.S. and Japanese officials.
The five parachutists involved in the incident were members of the 3rd Marine Division, Maj. Clay Groover, a division spokesman, told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.
The Marines had jumped over Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, about 8 ½ miles from Mount Fuji, but “unexpected high winds” sent them beyond their targeted landing zone, Groover said.
“There are no reported injuries or damage, and the Marines were not carrying weapons or sensitive equipment,” he added.
Two Marines landed in a sports park in Susono, two landed on a soccer field in Gotemba and another landed on private property, a spokesman for Japan’s South Kanto Defense Bureau said by phone Wednesday.
The cities of Gotemba, Susono and Oyama, along with an association of landowners who own part of the area used for the training, urged the defense bureau on Tuesday to determine the incident’s cause and to take safety measures.
“Safety is priority, and we commend the Marines for their ability to land safely in spite of the high winds,” Groover said. “The event is being investigated to mitigate future occurrences and we’d like to thank the local community members who offered assistance to the Marines upon landing and treated them with hospitality.”
