First small steps for JGSDF V-22

On 6 November 2020, a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) V-22B Osprey, serial 91705, was noted performing a first and short, 10 minutes, hovering exercise within the bounderies of Kisarazu Garrison (Chiba Prefecture).

The V-22B Osprey tiltrotors are operated by 1 Herikoputadan (1st Helicopter Brigade), which controls two squadrons; 107 Hikotai and 108 Hikotai.

Kisarazu is a temporary base for the JGSDF V-22B Ospreys, as they will move to Saga (Saga Prefecture) as soon as the infrastructure is completed. The mayor of Kisarazu city only agreed to host the Ospreys for a maximum of five years. By that time facilities at Saga airport on Kyushu island will be ready to host all seventeen ordered aircraft.

The location of the airfield at Saga is completely or partly owned by local fishermen who fear that fishing will be reduced by the Osprey. So an agreement between the owners of Saga and the Japan Ministry of Defence is an important milestone.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of up to 17 MV-22B Block Cs, along with 40 Rolls-Royce AE 1107C turboshaft engines, for an estimated USD 3 billion. Bell Boeing was contracted to produce and deliver the first five aircraft to Japan in July 2015, which was followed up with the order for an additional four examples in July 2016. The first two V-22Bs, serials 91701 and 91705, arrived in Japan on 8 May 2020.

Photo: via defpost.com