Ground Self-Defense Force Resumes Osprey Flights; Operations to be Limited to Training Near Airfield

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:29 JST, March 21, 2024

CAMP KISARAZU, Chiba — The Ground Self-Defense Force resumed flights on Thursday morning of Osprey transport aircraft that have been provisionally deployed at Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture.

The GSDF had suspended its Osprey flights after an U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey fatally crashed off Kagoshima Prefecture in November.

Flights will be limited to training in the vicinity of the airfield, with crews working to enhance their skills while observing thorough safety measures.

The GSDF has 14 Osprey planes. Twelve were on standby at Camp Kisarazu as of Thursday, while one was deployed at Vice-Camp Takayubaru in Kumamoto Prefecture and another at Camp Metabaru in Saga Prefecture. U.S. forces in Japan resumed Osprey flights on March 14.