Us Forces To Continue Flying Mv - 22 Ospreys In Okinawa
US forces in Japan say they will keep flying MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, even though the US Air Force has grounded its fleet of another Osprey type due to mechanical problems.
The US Air Force on Tuesday gave the order to ground all CV-22 aircraft, including those at Tokyo's Yokota Air Base.
The US forces in Japan told NHK on Friday that the order does not cover the MV-22 Ospreys deployed at the Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. They say the two types have different missions and vehicle structures, and that they have taken additional safety steps for the ones at Futenma.
In 2016, a MV-22 Osprey made an emergency landing on a reef east of Okinawa's Nago City, and was badly damaged. Two of the five crew members were injured.
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force says it has not halted flying its nine V-22 Ospreys deployed in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.