International Disaster Relief Activities for the Missing Indonesian Air Asia Airplane
Overview
On December 28th 2014, Indonesian Air Asia QZ8501 went missing en route to Singapore from Indonesia. Based on the request from the Indonesian government for assistance, the Minister for Foreign Affairs officially consulted with Defense Minister to conduct SDF search and rescue (SAR) operation for the missing plane and crews.
In response to the consultation, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) dispatched the MSDF Maritime Vessel Unit, consisting of two destroyers (JS Onami and JS Takanami) and three on-board helicopters, after deciding the dispatch could make an effective contribution to the Indonesian government’s SAR operation. At the time of the dispatch, the Vessel Unit was right on their way home from anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden but headed straight off to the SAR operation. Along with the dispatch of the unit, the MOD also organized a coordination center in Indonesia to carry out necessary coordination activity with the local government.
In the evening of January 3rd, the Unit arrived in the surrounding sea areas and since then has engaged in SAR operation; they retrieved four victims and belongings until January 9th.
On January 9th, the MOD concluded the SAR operation after close consultation and coordination with Indonesian government officials. With progress in SAR operation for QZ8501, the Indonesian officials had expressed that there were no more need for assistance from MSDF’s vessel and expressed their greatest gratitude for the assistance from Japan.
