Official: U.S. to Consult Japan Before Resuming V-22 Operations

The news is the latest development following a fatal U.S. Air Force CV-22 crash in Japan in late November that killed eight service members.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 12:37 PM ET

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A V-22 Osprey aircraft bound for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) based at Camp Kisarazu prepares to depart Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, July 6, 2020. [Courtesy: U.S. Marine Corps]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. forces in Japan will consult with the Japanese government before resuming V-22 Osprey operations, a directive issued by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
This decision follows the global grounding of all V-22 Osprey variants in early December, prompted by a fatal U.S. Air Force CV-22 crash off Japan in late November that killed eight service members.
Both Japan and the United States prioritize the safety of Osprey operations, with an ongoing investigation into the cause of the recent crash.

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U.S. forces in Japan will consult with the country’s government before resuming V-22 Osprey operations, according to Japan’s top military official.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has “instructed the U.S. forces and relevant departments not to operate Ospreys in Japan without advance coordination with the Japanese government,” according to a report in The Japan Times.