WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Defense Department also said these aircraft will maximize interoperability, enhance operational cooperation, and promote stronger defense relations with the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The CV-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft combing vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The Osprey’s mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions for special operations forces, according to the US Air Force website.
“The US Department of Defense announced today plans to station a special operations squadron of CV-22 Osprey aircraft at Yokota Air Base, Japan,” the statement said on Monday.
The first three aircraft will make their debut in the second half of 2017 while an additional seven other aircraft will arrive by 2021, according to the Defense Department.
“The deployment of tilt-rotor aircraft will provide increased capability for US Special Operations forces to respond quickly to crises and contingencies in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region, including humanitarian crises and natural disasters,” The Defense Department said.
