First Japanese Ospreys greet rising sun
The first pair of Bell-Boeing MV-22B Block C Osprey tiltrotor aircraft arrived at long last on Japanese shores via a roll-on roll-off cargo ship on 8 May.
The aircraft, which bear a camouflage scheme distinct from Ospreys of the USMC, bore the serial numbers 91701 and 91705.
After being unloaded at the combined USMC/Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Iwakuni and checked and test-flown by US personnel, these aircraft for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will be initially stationed at Camp Kisarazu near Tokyo as a temporary base.
They are scheduled move to Kisarazu in late June, or perhaps later
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