US Air Force Grounds Entire Osprey Fleet After Fatal Training Mission Crash in Japan

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/us-air-force-grounds-entire-osprey-fleet-after-fatal-training-mission-crash-in-japan-5542761 

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has grounded the United States' entire fleet of CV-22 Ospreys while an investigation into a Nov. 29 crash off the Japanese coast is ongoing.

Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the AFSOC commander, said in a Dec. 6 media statement he had directed an immediate "operational standdown" of the Osprey fleet until the investigation into the crash off the shore of Japan's Yakushima Island, Japan, is concluded.

So far, no timeline for the investigation and a possible end date have been revealed publicly.

In a separate Dec. 6 media statement, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) also said that "Out of an abundance of caution," it was "instituting a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants" immediately. NAVAIR said the decision was a direct result of the crash in Yakushima, and the grounding bulletin was to ensure everyone's safety.

"While the mishap remains under investigation, we are implementing additional risk mitigation controls to ensure the safety of our service members," the federal agency said.

"The Joint Program Office continues to communicate and collaborate with all V-22 stakeholders and customers, including allied partners."

Japan had asked the U.S. military to ground all Osprey aircraft not engaged in emergency recovery operations following the Nov. 29 training mission crash. At the same time, Senior Japanese Defense Ministry official Taro Yamato announced all 14 of its Ospreys had been grounded for now.

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 transports ordnance during an Expeditionary Advanced Base Operation (EABO) exercise to Old Highway 101 near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on May 25, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps via AP)

Osprey crashes have plagued the U.S. military for years. A fatal crash that killed three in August led to the Marines ordering a safety review of the aircraft.

The fleet was also grounded earlier this year following yet another incident. Last year, AFSOC ordered a temporary stand-down of its Osprey fleet following safety incidents where the clutch slipped, causing an uneven power distribution to the rotors.