The U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st MAW Public Affairs Office has responded to our queries on the diversion of two F/A-18s to Taiwan on Apr. 1. Below is their reply.
Q1. Can I confirm that the two jets are from VMFA-323.
A1. “A section, which consists of two U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C aircraft, landed at Tainan Airport, an approved divert air field, in Taiwan yesterday afternoon.
A persistent engine oil pressure warning light precipitated the precautionary emergency landing of one aircraft, the second landed in order to maintain section integrity.
The aircraft, which were from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323), were enroute to Singapore to participate in COMMANDO SLING which is an air-to-air exercise with Singapore.
The squadron, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, is currently flying out of MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
No one was injured and the process of recovering the aircraft and crew are underway.
Safety is always a top priority in any flight operation. Our pilots have the responsibility for diverting their aircraft to the nearest approved airfield if they experience an in-flight condition which they deem unsafe. This is done in order to protect the pilots, crew and the aircraft.”