A C-2 Greyhound - a logistical support aircraft for cargo, mail, and passengers - crashed in to the ocean about 500 nautical miles (926km) southeast of Okinawa on a flight to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, a US Navy statement said. The eight rescued people were recovered by navy helicopters.
"Our entire focus is on finding all of our sailors," said Rear Admiral Marc Dalton, commander of Task Force 70.
"US and Japanese ships and aircraft are searching the area of the crash and we will be relentless in our efforts."
