Japan-U.S. Joint Exercise: JGSDF Osprey makes its first flight over Okinawa Prefecture

As part of a joint exercise between the Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. military, the Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey landed at the airport on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture on the morning of the 19th. This is the first time for the Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey to fly in Okinawa. Okinawa Prefecture had asked people to refrain from flying due to safety concerns.

Until the end of October, the Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps are conducting Japan's largest joint training called "Resolute Dragon" in Okinawa, Kyushu, and Hokkaido to defend remote islands.

Among them, training to transport injured people using Osprey is scheduled on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, and a V19 Osprey of the Ground Self-Defense Force landed at New Ishigaki Airport shortly after 10:50 a.m. on the 22th.

This is the first time for the Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey to fly in Okinawa.

Regarding the V22 Osprey, Okinawa Prefecture had asked the U.S. military to refrain from flying it due to safety concerns such as repeated accidents overseas.