afsoc

The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps had grounded their fleets amid an investigation into the cause of a fatal crash off the coast of Japan.

A probe into the reason for the mishap that killed eight off the coast of Japan in November remains ongoing, the service said.

The mishap prompted a massive search that included more than 1,000 personnel, 46 aircraft, and 23 maritime vessels, military officials said.

While the cause of the accident remains unknown, military investigators suspect a potential materiel failure played a part.

Air Force Special Operations Command said no survivors were likely and that efforts are now focused on recovering remains and aircraft debris.

U.S. and Japanese dive teams located the sunken fuselage of the Air Force Osprey that crashed Wednesday.

U.S. military Osprey operations continue despite Japan’s call to temporarily ground the tiltrotor aircraft.

Japan said it would suspend operations of its fleet of 14 Ospreys until the cause of the crash was clarified.

The mishap occurred during a routine training mission offshore of Yakushima Island, Air Force Special Operations Command said.

Wave testing of modifications that turn the Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) clandestine cargo aircraft into virtual seaplanes capable of water take offs and landings is currently underway, according to a top command official.