The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Self-Defense Forces began V-22 flight operations at Kisarazu Air Field Nov.6, marking the first international partner to fly the U.S. military aircraft. The flight followed a ceremony earlier in the week, marking Japan’s V-22 program activation. The activation of the JGSDF’s Transportation Aviation Group flight operations is a major milestone for both the Japanese and V-22 Joint Program Office and follows a key success this summer: delivering the first aircraft to Japan, on schedule, during a global pandemic. PMA-275 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, fielding, sustainment and disposal of the tiltrotor program for the DoD and the JGSDF.
“The JGSDF is taking a big step toward integrating the V-22’s unique capabilities into its mission,” said Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “Beginning with Japan’s selection of the V-22 in 2015, it has been an honor working with our international ally and partner to make this program a reality. The PMA-275 team coordinated with our partners, both industry and DoD, across the globe to ensure the JGSDF had the resources to ensure long-term success for its V-22s.I am proud of the entire team’s achievements and dedication especially during this challenging time– it was a true “Team Osprey” effort,” Kelly said.
Within the last few months, the PMA-275 international team continued to work closely with the JGSDF, completing required maintenance and expediting spares and support equipment deliveries ahead of these initial flight operations. In addition to the JGSDF, the V-22 is critical to three U.S. branches of military, the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. For the U.S. Special Operations Forces, the CV-22 supports long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions. The Marine Corps’ MV-22B provides assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. The CMV-22B is the Navy’s carrier onboard delivery replacement aircraft, currently in flight test.
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. On 21 November 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Defense officially decided to procure 17 V-22s, with deliveries planned from FY 2014 to FY 2019. In January 2015, Japan’s parliament approved a defense budget with funding for five V-22s. The first V-22 for Japan was delivered in August 2017.
