US Air Force Halts Osprey Operations Following Fatal Crash in Japan
The US military halts operations of its V-22 Osprey fleet following a tragic crash off Japan's coast, claiming the lives of 8 US airmen
The entire V-22 Osprey fleet of the US military is being grounded, following a recent crash off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan, that resulted in the tragic deaths of all eight airmen on board. This directive came from Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, commander of AFSOC, to reduce risk during the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the Navy and Marine Corps V-22s are also being grounded as a precaution while the cause of the CV-22 crash is being investigated, according to Naval Air Systems Command.
A Navy news release stated that initial investigation findings suggest a potential material failure as the cause of the mishap, but the specific reason for the failure remains unknown. Following the crash last week, the government of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan called for all Ospreys on the island chain to be grounded. The Pentagon, however, stated that it had not officially received a request to ground the Ospreys.
A United States military aircraft V-22 Osprey crashed into the sea off Yakushima Island, Kagoshima prefecture, Japan on November 30, 2023, prompting a search and rescue operation conducted by a Japan Coast Guard vessel and a helicopter.
Last week, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that they had not received an official request at the department. She also mentioned that she was aware of the comments referenced and confirmed that the Ospreys are still operational in Japan.
Singh emphasized the Pentagon's strong dedication to safety for all airmen operating any aircraft. She stated that if the investigation determines the need for further measures, they will be taken. As of now, the investigation is ongoing to determine what happened.
AFSOC stated that the Osprey was on a "routine training mission" when it crashed, and the incident is currently being investigated. The aircraft has a history of operational and mechanical problems and has been involved in multiple fatal accidents over the past 30 years. Just a few months ago in August, three US Marines lost their lives in a MV-22 Osprey crash during a military exercise in Australia. In another tragic incident, four US service members were killed in a MV-22 crash during a NATO training exercise in March 2022. Additionally, five Marines died in a training mission crash in California just a few months later.
Various branches of the military, including the Marines, Air Force, and Navy, utilize different variants of the V-22 Osprey, such as the MV-22, CV-22, and CMV-22. Additionally, the Japan Ground Self Defense Force also operates the Japan MV-22.
According to Boeings V-22 information page, "With its rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land, and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. This combination results in global reach capabilities that allow the V-22 to fill an operational niche unlike any other aircraft."
Six out of the eight airmen aboard the aircraft that crashed last week have been rescued, with the identities of three of them confirmed. Among the recovered airmen are Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, 24, Maj. Luke Unrath, 34, and Tech Sgt. Zachary Lavoy, 33. After completing the personnel recovery operations, Air Force Special Operations Command announced on Wednesday that their next priority is salvaging the remaining aircraft debris.
Bauernfeind has stated in the past that the dedicated service of these eight airmen to our nation will always be remembered. "In times like these, when serving our country is not just a personal obligation but also a tradition passed down through generations, the grief is indescribable," he commented.
