U.S. Military to not Ground Ospreys in Japan, Search Continues for Missing V-22

In a press briefing held today, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh affirmed the United States' decision to persist with the operation of Osprey aircraft, despite Japan's request for a temporary halt, subsequent to a crash earlier this week.

"As of right now, we are still continuing to operate the Osprey aircraft," stated Singh during the briefing. "We have a commitment to safety. There is an investigation that is currently determining and looking into what exactly happened with this aircraft and the mishap. Should that investigation yield [any] results that require the department to change anything about the Osprey or to take additional steps, we will certainly do that."

The incident occurred on Tuesday when a CV-22A Osprey Aircraft assigned to the Air Force's 353rd Special Operations Wing was involved in an aviation mishap off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan. The aircraft, which was conducting a routine training mission approximately 630 miles southwest of Tokyo, had eight airmen on board. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate both the aircrew and the aircraft.

Singh emphasized that emergency personnel are on-site, actively engaged in search and rescue operations. She added, "The cause of this incident is currently under investigation."

Despite Japan's request to halt Osprey operations, Singh clarified that U.S.-owned Ospreys in Japan would continue to operate during the ongoing search and rescue operations and investigation into the mishap.

At present, the primary focus of the department is on the rescue efforts for the eight missing airmen. In response to the aviation mishap, officials at Yokota Air Base have established an "Emergency Family Assistance Center" (EFAC) to provide support to the families of the airmen on the aircraft and others affected by the incident.

The EFAC serves as a central gathering point for those impacted by the mishap to receive counseling, assistance, and relevant information. As the investigation unfolds, the U.S. government remains committed to ensuring the safety of its military personnel and will take appropriate actions based on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.