Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Air Force Special Operations Command has announced the identification of the eight service members who tragically lost their lives in the recent Osprey crash off the coast of Japan. The focus now shifts to the recovery of their bodies and the aircraft debris. The CV-22B Osprey crashed on November 29 during a routine training mission, raising concerns about the safety of these aircraft.
The Air Force confirmed on Monday that six of the eight crew members’ remains had been located, with three of them already recovered. However, the search for the two missing crew members continues, although their survival is highly unlikely. In a statement, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the head of Air Force Special Operations Command, expressed immeasurable sorrow and highlighted the honorable service of these airmen to the nation.
The lost crew members have been identified as follows: U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minn.; U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah; U.S. Air Force Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside; U.S. Air Force Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, N.Y.; U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Fla.; U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Ga.; U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” M. Galliher, 24, a native of Pittsfield, Mass.
The Osprey is a unique hybrid aircraft that combines the capabilities of a helicopter and an airplane. It can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but has the ability to rotate its propellers forward and cruise at high speeds during flight. However, the safety of Ospreys has come into question due to several crashes, including the recent incident in Japan.
Following the crash, Japan has suspended all flights of its own fleet of Ospreys and has requested assurance from the U.S. military regarding their safety before resuming flights. The U.S. military, however, stated that no formal request has been made and continues to operate 24 MV-22s, the Marine version of the Osprey, on Okinawa.
In an effort to investigate the cause of the crash, the Japanese coast guard and local fishing boats have collected wreckage, which has been handed over to the U.S. military for examination. Debris collected by Japan’s military will also be transferred to the United States for further analysis.
As recovery efforts continue, the memory of these brave airmen will forever be cherished, as they join the ranks of those who have shaped the nation’s history.