Japan ground defense force plane disappears from radar in Hokkaido

A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force aircraft carrying four male crew members disappeared from radar near Hakodate airport in Hokkaido on Monday morning, the Defense Ministry said.Ground control lost contact with the LR-2 reconnaissance aircraft at around 11:50 a.m. as it was flying about 30 kilometers west of the airport in Japan's northernmost main island, according to the ministry.The plane took off in poor weather from Sapporo Okadama airport at about 11:20 a.m.A pilot, backup pilot and two mechanics were aboard the plane.The plane belongs to an aviation unit for northern areas. It was …READ FULL ARTICLE