WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Japan have completed their joint search mission for a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft that crashed off the east coast of Australia, killing three Marines. The operation was conducted to retrieve the aircraft and its flight data recorder.
The August 2020 crash occurred during a training exercise involving the MV-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor military aircraft that combines the functionality of a helicopter with the long-range, high-speed performance of a turboprop aircraft. The U.S. and Japanese forces initially focused on locating and recovering the aircraft and its crew members.
The search mission, which involved multiple vessels and aircraft, lasted over 10 days and covered an area of about 17,000 square miles. The wreckage of the aircraft has not been located, prompting the U.S. Marine Corps to declare the missing crew members deceased.
The U.S. military stated that efforts will now shift towards investigating the cause of the crash and implementing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The crash has raised concerns about the safety of the MV-22 Osprey, which has been involved in several accidents in recent years, including a 2017 crash that killed 23 Marines.
The MV-22 Osprey is a critical component of the U.S. Marine Corps’ aircraft fleet and is used for various missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and assault support. The aircraft has been in service since 2007 and has faced scrutiny over its safety record.
In conclusion, the U.S. and Japan have concluded their search for a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft that crashed off the coast of Australia, resulting in the deaths of three Marines. Efforts will now focus on determining the cause of the crash and implementing measures to enhance the safety of the MV-22 Osprey.