US military plane declares mid-flight emergency off Welsh coast

A US Air Force plane has transmitted an emergency code off the coast of Wales.

The C-130H Hercules aircraft transmitted a 7700 code, indicating there is a general emergency.

Flight tracking technology shows the aircraft departed Cardiff, originally tracking west, but turned out heading back the way it came.

It has now landed back at Cardiff Airport.

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The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport plane developed and manufactured in the US by Lockheed Martin.

Designed to carry troops, cargo and casualties for medical evacuation, the aircraft is able to take off and land on rough unprepared runways.

This emergency signal comes after a helicopter crashed in Devon, killing three members of the Royal Navy.

Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green, all died in the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, in the early hours of Wednesday last week.

The MoD confirmed the deaths of the Navy personnel on social media last week, writing: "It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon.

"The families of the Service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time."

King Charles said he was "profoundly shocked" by the helicopter crash, saying those who were killed were "held in the highest regard".

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The King said on Friday: “I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday.

“As a former Junglie pilot 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those involved.

"Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers."

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