November 15, 2024

The Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey aircraft that failed to take off from GSDF Camp Yonaguni (Yonaguni Town, Okinawa Pref.) in late October was in fact “wrecked”.

This was revealed on November 15 in an interview with the Defense Ministry conducted by Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Yamazoe Taku.

According to ministry officials, the SDF could not repair the aircraft and that it needs to outsource the repair. Judging from the ministry’s directives on aviation accidents, the V-22 was “wrecked” and classified as a “medium accident”.

The accident occurred during a training mission to transport the injured as part of the Japan-U.S. joint exercise Keen Sword 25. The GSDF resumed flights of V-22s at its Camp Kisarazu (Kisarazu City, Chiba Pref.) 19 days after the accident.

Past related article:
> JCP assemblypersons in Chiba Pref. demand that GSDF Ospreys be grounded [November 12, 2024]