An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Jan. 7, 2015

Hi-Tech Navy Sonar Searches for Air Asia Flight Wreckage

By Kris Osborn

The Navy is using a special, hi-tech side-scanning sonar system to assist Indonesian authorities searching for debris and bodies from Air Asia flight QZ8501, the passenger jet which recently crashed into the Java Sea.

Called the Tow Fish side-scan sonar system, the technology uses sonar to map the ocean floor and search for debris and wreckage. The Tow Fish side-scan sonar attaches to a cable launched from an 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, or RHIB. The technology is deployed from the USS Fort Worth, a Navy littoral combat ship now assisting the search efforts.

The USS Sampson, a Navy destroyer, and the USS Fort Worth remain on station in the Java Sea conducting searches in support of the Indonesian-led effort.

The Tow Fish can extend from an RHIB going up to five knots and reach depths of 2,000 feet, Navy officials said.

“We can find things as small as a golf ball or things as large as an airplane,” said a Navy diver involved with the search.

Search areas have been centered in boxes approximately one nautical mile wide by one-to-two nautical miles long, according to Lt. Lauren Cole, Navy 7th Fleet spokeswoman.

The Tow Fish is designed to work in tandem with dive teams. Navy divers on-board the Fort Worth from a mobile diving and salvage unit continue to operate in the area as well, Cole explained.

Capt. Kendall Bridgewater, commanding officer of the USS Fort Worth, said his ship would continue helping with the search for as long as the Indonesian authorities needed.

“We are working closely with the Indonesians who are leading the search efforts. We are basically operating our small boats, launching our helicopters and conducting visual searches from the bridge as we transit the area,” Bridgewater said.

The USS Sampson remains on station and continues to assist in debris recovery efforts, Navy officials said. The USS Sampson recovered three bodies on Jan. 4 and transferred them to Indonesian authorities the same day.

To date, the USS Sampson has recovered 15 bodies and has taken care to follow religious customs and sensitivities, Cole said.

MH-60 helicopters from USS Sampson and USS Fort Worth continue to work together and are conducting both day and night operations in the Java Sea search area.

“Weather continues to be a challenge, but our crews are working hard around the clock to assist with search efforts,” Cole said in a written statement.

The USS Sampson also recovered airline seats Jan. 4 and are in the process of transferring the debris to Indonesian authorities, Cole added.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
US, Australia, and UK forces conduct joint combined operations
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 6, 2025) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), support flight operations for a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter on Benfold’s flight deck during multilateral operations with Australia and the United Kingdom in the South China Sea, Feb. 6. Benfold is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s Largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Monica Walker.)
Feb. 11, 2025 - The U.S. Navy (USN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and Royal Navy (RN) joined together to conduct a link exercise, a coordinated maneuvering exercise, and a variety of other combined operations in the South China Sea, Feb...

MARFORPAC, PMC Discuss Future Training at Staff Talks
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christopher Winn, left, assistant chief of staff, G-5 Plans Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Philippine Marine Corps Col. Enstein B. Calaoa, Chief of Marine Staff, PMC, exchange gifts after the 2025 PMC-MARFORPAC Marine-to-Marine Staff Talks, Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, Feb. 6, 2025. The three-day talks provided a forum to improve coordination of bilateral exercises and operations while discussing mutual areas of interest throughout the Indo-Pacific.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chloe Zimmerer)
Feb. 11, 2025 - Senior leaders from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and the Philippine Marine Corps gathered at Fort Bonifacio for their annual Marine-to-Marine staff talks, from Feb. 3 to 6, 2025...

Press Release: Aero India 2025 Opens
Aero India 2025 logo. (curtesy image)
Feb. 11, 2025 - Aero India 2025, India’s largest airshow and aviation exhibition has officially begun and will last until 14 February at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, India...

USAF and USMC Work With Allies and Partners to Enhance Capabilities for CN25
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Takeshi Okubo, flight group commander, 3rd Air Wing, poses for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2025. CN25 showcases the importance of cooperation and partnership in maintaining a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region and highlights the U.S. commitment to working with Allies and partners to promote peace and prosperity. The F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability to the realistic combat training and scenarios in CN25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt)
Feb. 10, 2025 - Aircraft from the United States Air Force along with our Allies and Partners line the runway at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for Cope North 25. CN25 aims to enhance the capabilities of partner air forces through training,...

Governor, Joint Region Marianas, Joint Task Force-Micronesia Convene Civil-Military Coordination Council
Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia, convene the Civil-Military Coordination Council (CMCC) at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex in Adelup, Guam, Feb. 5, 2025. Council members observed a FEM-02 presentation, which provided updates on key developments and initiatives. The CMCC fosters collaboration among the Department of Defense, local government, and federal agencies by sharing information, discussing key issues to address military activity and growth while minimizing impact on community infrastructure and services. (U.S. Navy photo by William J Busby III)
Feb. 10, 2025 - Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman convened the Civil-Military Coordination Council (CMCC) at the Governor’s Complex in Adelup, Feb. 5...