In Pictures: The search for missing USS John S. McCain sailors

Updated
Published
August 24, 2017 at 7:37 AM
RSAF personnel boarding a C-130 before a search for missing sailors from the USS John S. McCain on Day Three of the multi-national search-and-rescue efforts on Aug 23, 2017.

 ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Singapore's search area was further expanded to 5,524 sq km on Wednesday from 2,620 sq km on Aug 22, 2017, as rescue efforts turned up empty. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Despite the expanded area, no survivors have been found as of Aug 23, 2017. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircrafts, a C-130 and a Fokker 50, were among those involved on Aug 23, 2017, with a Super Puma helicopter on standby. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
In the C-130 mission accompanied by media representatives, the search spanned 1,269 sq km over the eastern and northern parts of the Singapore search area. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Twenty RSAF personnel were involved in the mission - one of the 10 that have taken place since Aug 21, 2017. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
In the seven-hour operation, 12 RSAF personnel were designated as "scanners", some of whom wore sunglasses to shield their eyes from the glare. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Fatigue was a concern in the six hours of searching, so the servicemen took 30-minute shifts with 10 to 15-minute breaks. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The team was deployed to look out for survivors, or bodies of the missing sailors. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
In total, more than 300 personnel from Singapore have been deployed so far. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Scanners looking out for survivors and bodies through the windows on board a C-130 flying over the South China Sea, in search of missing sailors from the USS John S. McCain, on Aug 23, 2017. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The view from one of the windows on the RSAF's C-130 aircraft. For better visibility, the aircraft did low-level flying - 500ft above the sea. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
An air crew specialist from 122 Squadron on board the C-130 looking out for survivors or bodies, in Day Three of the search efforts on Aug 23, 2017. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Ships in search of missing sailors from the USS John S. McCain on Aug 23, 2017. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

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