Japan Press Weekly

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2018 February 7 - 13 [POLITICS]

SDF copter crash in Saga heightens concern over Osprey deployment to Saga Airport

The Defense Ministry intends to deploy 50 military aircraft, including the same model as the combat helicopter that recently crashed in Saga along with 17 Ospreys for the Ground Self-Defense Force, to the civil airport in Saga Prefecture.

The crash of a GSDF Camp Metabaru-based AH-64D chopper has increased concern over the Osprey deployment to Saga among local residents.

Koga Hatsuji, the leader of a residents' group opposing the military use of Saga Airport, said in an Akahata interview, "The crash onto a private home shocked me so much, and I never felt the horror as much as this before."

He said, "We don't want Ospreys or any other military aircraft to be stationed at our local airport. Without doubt, our lives will be exposed to the danger of unexpected accidents."

He added, "The tiltrotor Ospreys are considered by many experts to be defective aircraft that has caused a series of accidents and crashes in various locations in the world, and the latest crash of the GSDF helicopter occurred immediately following its scheduled maintenance. However, the Defense Ministry is promoting the Osprey deployment to our community. I'm appalled," and expressed his determination to increase the public movement to oppose the militarization of Saga Airport.

Past related articles:
> SDF helicopter crashes into residential area [February 6, 2018]
> Saga residents want their local airport to stay free from fisheries-threatening Ospreys [July 27, 2017]