Japan's Defense Ministry says US forces in Japan and the Ground Self-Defense Force will resume flights of Osprey transport aircraft in phases from Thursday.
The tilt-rotor aircraft were grounded after a crash off the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima in November. All eight US military personnel on board were killed.
US forces lifted the flight ban on March 8. The Defense Ministry consulted with the US side to devise a plan for restarting Osprey flights in Japan.
On Wednesday, it announced that aircraft that have undergone maintenance, and whose crews have received training as part of new safety measures, will commence basic flights from Thursday.
The ministry added that Ospreys operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force will initially fly in close proximity to airfields, gradually advancing to the next phase as crews regain proficiency.
It said US forces will adopt a similarly cautious approach in resuming flights.
Ministry officials visited local governments in 11 prefectures, including Kagoshima and Okinawa, on Wednesday to brief them of the plan.
But the governments are likely to protest, as the cause of November's crash remains undisclosed due to legal restrictions imposed by the US.
The Defense Ministry say there are currently 43 Osprey aircraft in Japan. US forces operate 29, and the Ground Self-Defense Force oversees 14.
The tilt-rotor aircraft were grounded after a crash off the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima in November. All eight US military personnel on board were killed.
US forces lifted the flight ban on March 8. The Defense Ministry consulted with the US side to devise a plan for restarting Osprey flights in Japan.
On Wednesday, it announced that aircraft that have undergone maintenance, and whose crews have received training as part of new safety measures, will commence basic flights from Thursday.
The ministry added that Ospreys operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force will initially fly in close proximity to airfields, gradually advancing to the next phase as crews regain proficiency.
It said US forces will adopt a similarly cautious approach in resuming flights.
Ministry officials visited local governments in 11 prefectures, including Kagoshima and Okinawa, on Wednesday to brief them of the plan.
But the governments are likely to protest, as the cause of November's crash remains undisclosed due to legal restrictions imposed by the US.
The Defense Ministry say there are currently 43 Osprey aircraft in Japan. US forces operate 29, and the Ground Self-Defense Force oversees 14.
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Summary
US and Japanese Defense Forces plan to resume Osprey aircraft flights in phases, starting from Thursday, following a grounding after a fatal crash in November. The US lifted the flight ban on March 8. Post-crash safety measures include maintenance checks and crew training. Flights will initially
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ID: 8beeef98-5b30-4e86-a1ec-e5c0a72aeb9f
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240313_29/
Date: March 13, 2024
Created: 2024/03/14 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 16:31
Last Read: 2024/03/14 15:22