Devendra Kumar
The United States Air Force has successfully recovered the remains of six service members who were lost when their Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan last week. The aircraft, a CV-22B Osprey, went down on November 29th during a training mission, resulting in the loss of eight crew members. The incident has led to a significant search and recovery operation, with efforts now focusing on locating the two remaining bodies and debris from the wreckage.
According to Air Force Special Operations Command, three bodies were initially recovered from the sunken wreckage, and subsequently, six crew members’ remains have been located and retrieved. The search for the remaining two crew members continues, with a team of experts scouring the area for any remaining signs of life or wreckage.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the military community, with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressing their deepest condolences to the families and friends of the lost crew members. The President stated, “We owe them everything. Jill and I are praying for the families and friends who lost a loved one in this terrible accident.” Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind, Air Force Special Operations Command, echoed the President’s sentiments, saying, “The depth of sorrow is immeasurable… The honourable service of these eight airmen to this great nation will never be forgotten, as they are now among the giants who shape our history.”
The lost crew members were identified as Maj Jeffrey T Hoernemann, Maj Eric V Spendlove, Maj Luke A Unrath, Capt Terrell K Brayman, Tech Sgt Zachary E Lavoy, Staff Sgt Jake M Turnage, Senior Airman Brian K Johnson, and Staff Sgt Jacob ‘Jake’ M Galliher. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also offered his condolences to the families and the American people, thanking them for their dedication to peace and stability in the region.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, but it has raised concerns about the safety of Osprey aircraft, which are used by both the US and Japanese militaries. Japan has suspended all flights of its own fleet of 14 Ospreys, pending a thorough investigation and assurance of their safety. However, the Pentagon has stated that no formal request has been made by Japan to resume Osprey flights, and the American military is continuing to fly 24 MV-22s, the Marine version of Ospreys, deployed on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.
The incident has also sparked a renewed focus on the safety of military aircraft, with commentators calling for a thorough review of the Osprey’s design and operation. The Japanese navy has pledged continued support for the search and recovery operation, with Adm Ryo Sakai, chief of staff, stating, “We will do everything we can to support the search and recovery operation.”