Military aircraft collide off Waialua; search on for survivors

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is preliminary and items may change as more information becomes available.

(KHON2) – Two military aircraft collided off the North Shore Oahu late Thursday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Searchers have spotted a fire and a debris field, including an empty life raft, about 2½ miles north of Haleiwa Beach, according to Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers.

A total of 12 people were on board the two aircraft, Mooers said.

PHOTOS:Search on for survivorsUPDATE HERE WITH 4-5 WORDS

Initial calls came in around 11 p.m. in the waters off Kahaone Loop in Waialua.

The Honolulu Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and the U.S. Coast Guard are responding to the area.

Witnesses in the area say they heard a loud boom over the water and saw a big flare in the sky.

The area is forecast to have 10 to 15 foot waves, with rapid building to 30 to 40 feet Friday morning.CNN’s Tina Burnside contributed to this report.