Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : A piece of wreckage from a crashed Osprey military aircraft was handed over to U.S. military officials on Sunday, according to officials from the southwestern Japanese town of Yakushima. The search for the seven crew members who are still missing in nearby waters is ongoing.
The wreckage was collected by local fishermen after the tilt-rotor aircraft went down on Wednesday during a training exercise near the island town. The only body recovered from the aircraft has been identified as Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, a 24-year-old direct support operator assigned to the 43rd Intelligence Squadron, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command confirmed.
The search and rescue operation is being conducted in collaboration with Japan’s defense forces, coast guard, and civilian volunteers. It remains a top priority for both the U.S. and Japanese authorities. The U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, along with its air wing, as well as assets such as unmanned vehicles and divers, have been involved in the operation. Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Air Force Special Operations commander, emphasized that their focus is on enabling the ongoing search and rescue operation while providing support to the affected family and loved ones.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Ospreys have a history of mishaps, including fatal crashes. The crash of the U.S. Air Force CV-22 marks the first-ever fatality in Japan involving an Osprey, reigniting concerns over the safety of the aircraft.
In response to the incident, Japan has temporarily grounded its own Osprey fleet. The country has also requested the United States, its security ally, to refrain from conducting Osprey flights except for search and rescue operations. However, U.S. military operations involving Osprey variants other than the one that crashed have not been completely suspended.
The incident has sparked a renewed debate regarding the safety of Osprey aircraft. The U.S. forces have dispatched two Ospreys to Japan following the fatal crash, despite calls to suspend operations. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the future use of Ospreys in both Japan and the United States.
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Sources:
– U.S. forces dispatch 2 Ospreys after fatal crash of another in Japan
– U.S. keeps flying Osprey in Japan despite calls to suspend operations
– U.S. military Osprey aircraft crashes off Japan island, 1 dead