The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has suspended the entire US fleet of CV-22 Ospreys until an investigation into a Nov. 29 accident off the coast of Japan continues.
The AFSOC commander, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, stated in a Dec. 6 media release that he had ordered an immediate "operational standdown" of the Osprey fleet until the inquiry into the accident off the coast of Japan's Yakushima Island, Japan, was completed.
So yet, no schedule or finish date for the probe have been made public.
Lt. Bauernfeind also hinted that the Osprey fleet might be brought back into duty at some time in the future.
This is despite the recent tragedy that killed eight military personnel and the lengthy history of Osprey mishaps throughout the world.
At this time, search and recovery activities for the bodies of two military personnel who went missing after the incident are still ongoing. The Air Force said earlier this week that all eight people on the plane were killed.
“The standdown will provide time and space for a thorough investigation to determine causal factors and recommendations to ensure the Air Force CV-22 fleet returns to flight operations,” Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind said.
The fundamental reason of the crash in Japan, according to Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind, is still unknown at this time. During the early inquiry, however, it was claimed that a "potential material failure" is to blame.
Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind didn't say anything further about the event or when the Osprey fleet may be back in action. He stated that more updates will be provided as they become available.
In a second media release issued on December 6, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) stated that "out of an abundance of caution," it was "instituting a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants" immediately. The decision was made as a direct result of the Yakushima incident, and the grounding bulletin was issued to safeguard everyone's safety.
“While the mishap remains under investigation, we are implementing additional risk mitigation controls to ensure the safety of our service members,” the federal agency said.
“The Joint Program Office continues to communicate and collaborate with all V-22 stakeholders and customers, including allied partners.”
Following the Nov. 29 training mission disaster, Japan requested that the US military stop any Osprey aircraft that were not participating in emergency rescue efforts. At the same time, Senior Japanese Defense Ministry Official Taro Yamato said that all 14 of Japan's Osprey aircraft had been grounded for the time being.
For years, the US military has been plagued with Osprey mishaps. Following a tragic accident in August that killed three people, the Marines ordered a safety examination of the aircraft.
Following yet another incident, the fleet was again grounded earlier this year. Following safety mishaps in which the clutch slid, causing unequal power distribution to the rotors, AFSOC ordered a temporary stand-down of its Osprey fleet last year.
