Pentagon unveils plan to deploy Ospreys at Futenma in late 2012
Tuesday 07th June, 06:44 AM JST
WASHINGTON —
The U.S. Defense Department said Monday it plans to deploy MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing transport aircraft at the Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture in late 2012.
The MV-22 will replace the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters currently at Futenma. ‘‘We have recently begun discussing the mechanics of the notification process involving with introducing this important alliance capability to Okinawa,’’ deputy Pentagon spokesman Dave Lapan said in a statement.
The decision is likely to draw criticism from local governments and residents in Japan’s island prefecture as the aircraft suffered a series of accidents during its development.
But Lapan said, compared with the CH-46, the MV-22 is ‘‘even safer, generally quieter, and considerably more capable.’‘
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told Okinawa Gov Hirokazu Nakaima in their talks in early May that the United States will likely announce the deployment plan soon.