MV-22 Osprey Aircraft Arrive In Japan

The U.S Marine Corp have inducted 12 MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to be stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, as part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265). "We are obviously pleased to demonstrate the capacity of this co-located deep water harbor and aerial port of operations. It clearly highlights Iwakuni’s position as a logistical lynchpin in the strategic alliance between the United States and Japan here in the Western Pacific,” said Col James C. Stewart, Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Marines will prepare the aircraft for flight after its 5000-mile journey aboard the civilian cargo ship Green Ridge. However, the MV-22 Ospreys will not conduct functional check flights until the results of safety investigations are presented to the Government of Japan and the safety of flight operations is confirmed. Following safety confirmation and functional check flights, the Ospreys will fly to their new home aboard MCAS Futenma. The Osprey is a highly-capable aircraft with an excellent operational safety record combing the vertical capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. A second squadron of 12 aircraft is scheduled to arrive at MCAS Futenma during the summer of 2013.