Marine Ospreys in Japan to stay grounded pending crash investigations

MV-22 Ospreys on the Iwakuni ramp (US Marine Corps Photo)

The United States Marines will not undertake flight operations by MV-22 Ospreys in Japan until the Japanese government green lights the flights after investigations into two recent crashes are completed, according to American Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

The move was announced on the same day Panetta met with Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto in Washington, who later flew on an MV-22 and observed another Osprey flight and operations by Marine aviation units.

Okinawan residents and local politicians are contesting the plan to deploy Marine Ospreys to the Marine base at Futenma, citing noise and safety concerns.

See also: Marine Ospreys arrive in Japan