USAF Osprey crash transitions from a rescue to a recovery operation

On 5 December 2023, the USAF announced that after days of intensive, 24/7 search and rescue operations for eight Airmen following a CV-22B Osprey mishap off the shore of Yakushima Island (Japan), the US military transitioned search and rescue operations to search and recovery operations.

On 29 November 2023, USAF's 21st Special Operations Squadron, part of the 353rd Special Operations Wing, based at Yokota Air Base (Japan) lost Bell Boeing CV-22B Osprey, with serial number 12-0065, after it crashed into the sea, one kilometre off the coast of Kagoshima, Yakushima, sadly killing eight crew members.

The transition from a rescue operation to a recovery operation occurs when the determination is made that survivors are unlikely. The recovery operation will now focus on locating and recovering all aircrew remains and Osprey debris.

According to our Scramble Database, seven out of 58 USAF Ospreys have been lost due to accidents. While based in the past with the 7th Special Operations Squadron/ 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall (UK) the crashed Osprey 12-0065 was a common sight at various European airfields.

Credit photo: David Cook (On Flickr)