Head of US Marines Osprey unit sacked
The US Marines Corps have sacked the commander of its Japan-based Osprey squadron ‘due to loss of trust,’ US officials said on 2 February, following a series of accidents involving the hybrid aircraft in recent months.
According to III Marine Expeditionary Force, Bryan Swenson was relieved of his duties recently ‘due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead his command.’
Christopher Denver, executive officer for the Okinawa-based tilt rotor squadron, has been assigned as interim commanding officer.
The sacking comes six months after US Marines were forced to mount a major search and rescue mission when a Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey crashed off the east coast of Australia.
Twenty-three of the crew of 26 were rescued but the search for the remaining three was eventually called off.
In December, five crew members aboard a US Marine MV-22 Osprey were injured after what the US Department of Defense described as a ‘mishap’ resulting in the plane landing in shallow water off Okinawa in southern Japan.
The MV-22 – a hybrid helicopter-turboprop with a checkered safety record – has two engines positioned on fixed wingtips that allow it to land and take off vertically.
Residents in Okinawa – which hosts the bulk of some 47,000 American troops in Japan under a decades-long security alliance – have protested against the deployment of Ospreys in the country following the accidents.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
-
![How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence]()
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
![Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing]()
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
![DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities]()
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
![Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities]()
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.
