GSDF Osprey to use U.S. base in Okinawa for first time during June joint exercise

A GSDF V-22 Osprey is expected to land at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and on Miyako Island for the first time as part of the Resolute Dragon exercise between the GSDF and U.S. Marine Corps from June 20 to June 30. The aircraft will airlift a mock patient from Miyako Island to the Futenma air station in Ginowan.

The exercise assumes defense of remote islands and will take place at Self-Defense Forces camps in Okinawa and the Kyushu region as well as U.S. bases including Futenma. On Ishigaki Island, a GSDF Osprey and U.S. military aircraft will conduct training on goods transportation.

A previous plan for a GSDF Osprey to fly to Okinawa during a joint exercise in February and March was canceled after the Okinawa Prefectural Government requested in January that the Defense Ministry refrain from Osprey use, following an incident in October 2024 when a GSDF V-22 Osprey lost balance and accidentally touched the ground while taking off from GSDF camp on Yonaguni Island.