USAF CV-22 Osprey Aircraft Resume Flight Operations In Japan

July 22, 2024 Aviation Safety, Helicopters, Military Aviation
Parth Satam
Four CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group Detachment 1 fly above Tokyo, Japan, April 5, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Pick)

The decision to resume CV-22 Osprey flight operations at Yokota Air Base, Japan, is based on a meticulous, data-driven approach, complemented by rigorous simulator training sessions for the crews.

Nearly a month after the US military leadership announced restricted flight operations with new safety, maintenance and piloting procedures for the troubled V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, units from the 353rd Special Operations Wing stationed on Yokota Air Base, Japan, resumed CV-22 flights earlier this month. “Air Force Special Operations Command implemented a multi-phased approach to ensure aircrew, maintainers and aircraft were ready to resume flight operations,” a statement said.

A crash of a USAF CV-22 off the coast of Japan killed eight airmen on Nov. 29, 2023, leading to a three-month safety stand down of about 400 Osprey tiltrotors in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps fleet. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), the sole foreign operator of the Osprey, also grounded its fleet of 14 such aircraft.

USAF CV-22B Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron, takes flight for the first time since last November at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jul 2, 2024. (Image credit: USAF/Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

That accident was the fourth fatal mishap in just over two years. This was followed by a Mar. 8, 2024, NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) flight bulletin returning the V-22 Osprey to operation with safety controls in place. Other restrictions limited the Ospreys to fly for not more than 30-minutes and only around a suitable airfield where they would be able to return to, if something went wrong. Subsequently on Mar. 13, the Japan MoD announced the JGSDF reaching an agreement with the US military to gradually restore MV-22 operations.

The Aviationist reported that Osprey flights would resume in Japan in a “gradual” manner, following the first such flight in March in proximity of their air bases. The phased resumption would be synchronized with training and proficiency of pilots and crews on new operating and maintenance procedures.

Yokota is taking it slow

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety of the men and women who operate our aircraft and the safety of our community both on base and in Japan,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Davis, 21st Special Operations Squadron commander. “These safety mitigation measures have been taken seriously, and we would not fly this aircraft without full confidence in the measures, the maintenance professionals implementing them, and the skilled professionals who fly it.”

The CV-22 crews are “maintaining their proficiency through rigorous simulator training sessions, focusing on both routine operations and emergency scenarios.”

Additionally, they engaged in comprehensive technical training that covered the latest updates, maintenance practices, and safety protocols related to the CV-22.

The NAVAIR-led V-22 Joint Program Office continuously monitors data and trends from all platforms to ensure they are providing service members with the safest, most reliable aircraft possible. The decision to return the CV-22 Osprey to flight operations “was informed by a meticulous data-driven approach.”

A USAF crew chief from the 21st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals a CV-22B Osprey after returning from a flight at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jul. 2, 2024. (Image credit: USAF/Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

It appears that the CV-22 is still being flown with restrictions in its flight and range envelope in anticipation of emergencies and technical snags. As per NAVAIR chief Vice. Adm. Carl Chebi’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Jun. 12, he would “not certify the V-22 to return to unrestricted flight operations until they have sufficiently addressed the issues,” and a complete redesign of the problematic clutch assembly. “Based on the data that I have today, I’m expecting that this will not occur before mid-2025,” he said.

A “hard clutch engagement” has been the cause behind earlier mishaps. While this has not been found to be the cause in the Nov. 2023 crash, as investigators identified an issue with the gearbox, it nevertheless remains a concern for the V-22 fleet. Thus, the resumption of the CV-22’s flight operations at Yokota could be under considerable restrictions.

JGSDF receives remaining Ospreys

Interestingly, the JGSDF’s Kisarazu Garrison on Jul. 11 announced the “delivery completion ceremony” of the V-22, implying the remaining units of the total order had been completed. Reports had said that of the 14 Ospreys, JGSDF was awaiting to receive three more to complete the fleet of 17 aircraft.

The 1st Helicopter Brigade said on X, while posting pictures of the reception ceremony, “In order to continue to promote the V-22’s operationalization and strengthen the mobile deployment capability to all parts of the country, including the southwest region, we will rapidly promote the operationalization of the transport aviation squadron, with the absolute safety of the V-22, which has an innovative mechanism.” It is not immediately clear how many V-22s were present at the ceremony, as only two were visible in the pictures.

The Ospreys spotted so far

With the grounding now lifted, Ospreys have been increasingly spotted around the world, including at the ongoing RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercises). On Jul. 6, 2024, the official handle of the exercise on X posted a picture of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, part of the 15th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit), hovering several feet above the ground while servicemen rappelled down from the rear ramp. The post said Marines were demonstrating “fast-rope insertions for partner nations in areas where aircraft landings are impractical.”

Prior to this, the USMC on Mar. 21 publicized a drill “conducting deliberate, progressive training focused on reintegration of the MV-22s to the 15th MEU’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force as pilots and crew achieve proficiency.” Marines were shown disembarking from an MV-22B from the VMM (Marine Tiltrotor Squadron) 165 at Camp Pendleton in California.

U.S. Marines assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark an MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced) 15th MEU, at a landing zone during training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 21, 2024. (Image credit: USMC/Cpl. Luis Agostini)

On Jul. 11, a USMC MV-22B was photographed releasing flares over the Mount Bundey Training Area in Australia. The MV-22B, from the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), was involved in a “tail gunnery exercise in order to maintain weapons proficiency and increase combat lethality.”

About Parth Satam
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Parth Satam's career spans a decade and a half between two dailies and two defense publications. He believes war, as a human activity, has causes and results that go far beyond which missile and jet flies the fastest. He therefore loves analyzing military affairs at their intersection with foreign policy, economics, technology, society and history. The body of his work spans the entire breadth from defense aerospace, tactics, military doctrine and theory, personnel issues, West Asian, Eurasian affairs, the energy sector and Space.