10 Korean AF Personnel Disciplined after C-130 Entered Japan's ADIZ without Clearance Forcing JAF to Scramble Fighters

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has disciplined 10 Air Force personnel after a C-130 transport aircraft entered Japan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) without authorization on July 13, prompting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to scramble fighter jets.

The ministry said on Sunday, “We confirmed problems in mission execution during the C-130's emergency landing at Kadena Air Base, including coordination for transiting Japanese airspace and reporting through the chain of command, and we took steps including disciplinary requests, warnings and cautions.”

The incident occurred when a Korean Air Force C-130 en route to Guam on a training flight failed to obtain clearance to cross Japanese airspace. The aircraft, facing fuel concerns, diverted toward Okinawa and attempted to land at Kadena Air Base.

The crew informed Japanese controllers of a “precautionary landing,” but the phrase was not understood, resulting in the aircraft entering Japan’s ADIZ without approval. This triggered a JASDF fighter scramble. During later radio exchanges, Japanese controllers requested the pilot issue a “Mayday” call. The pilot complied, after which clearance to land was granted.

The Korean Air Force later explained, “The term ‘Mayday’ applies when an aircraft needs rescue due to a defect or other urgent situation, but our situation involved a precautionary landing because of fuel concerns. Air forces internationally use the term ‘precautionary landing,’ so the pilot used it.”

The case has highlighted how differing terminology between international civil aviation standards and internal military communications can cause confusion, leading to renewed calls for procedural and communication fixes in cross-border military operations.