The US Air Force says the bodies of two airmen have been recovered after a B-52 bomber crashed into the Pacific, off the coast of the US territory of Guam.

A rescue team is continuing to search for the remaining four crew members

The plane was due to take part in events to mark the island’s Liberation Day, commemorating the end of Japanese occupation during World War II.

B-52s are one of the oldest aircraft still flown by the US military. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

The Air Force said the identity of one of the bodies had been established but is being withheld until the crew member’s family had been informed.

Local and military search teams are involved in the search for the remaining crew members, combing about 70 square miles (180 sq km) of ocean, a spokesman for the US Coast Guard Section Guam, Lt Elizabeth Buendia, said.

This was a real shame and it is the second plane crash off the Island.  But my first thought was…since the B-52 is a primary weapon of war and sometimes carries a full compliment of nukes….how many were on this flight?  If they were aboard, what is the danger to the people and environment of Guam?