TOKYO (AP) — Recent developments in the aftermath of the U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft crash have uncovered wreckage and remains of crew members, as announced by the Air Force on Monday.
The Incident
The unfortunate incident occurred during a training mission last Wednesday, when the CV-22 Osprey, carrying eight American personnel, crashed off Yakushima island. While the body of one victim was recovered and identified earlier, seven individuals still remain missing.
Recovery Efforts
Confirmation and Progress
Over the weekend, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was confirmed as one of the victims. On Monday, reports emerged that Japanese navy divers, alongside U.S. military personnel, spotted what appears to be the front section of the Osprey, potentially with five of the missing crew members.
Safety Concerns
While Japanese navy officials refrained from confirming these reports without consent from the U.S., it is important to note that Ospreys have experienced several crashes in the past. This incident has reignited concerns regarding their safety, particularly as they are frequently utilized at both U.S. and Japanese military bases.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event.
Japan Suspends Osprey Flights, Demands Safety Assurance
Japanese officials have taken the step of suspending all flights of their fleet of 14 Ospreys, pending assurance from the U.S. military regarding their safety. The decision comes after a recent incident involving an Osprey crash off the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. The Japanese coast guard and local fishing boats have collected wreckage from the crash, which has been handed over to the U.S. military for examination.
While debris recovered includes parts of the aircraft and an inflatable life raft, nothing directly related to the cause of the crash, such as an engine, has been found. Eyewitnesses reported seeing fire coming from one of the engines before the accident occurred.
The Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement has long posed difficulties for Japanese investigations into criminal cases involving American service members in Okinawa and elsewhere. This has led to criticism from rights activists and Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, who has called for a revision of the agreement.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, as Japanese officials await a formal response from the U.S. military regarding the resumption of Osprey flights.
