Key Facts
• Osprey aircraft stationed at Saga Base plan training flights to Kanoya Base from August 18.
• Saga Base, established on July 9, is completing deployment of 17 Osprey aircraft by mid-August.
• Training flights to other bases began on August 5.
• Flight routes from Saga to Kanoya are determined by pilots, with no fixed paths.
• Flights will maintain altitudes above 300 meters and avoid residential, urban, and hospital areas.
• Kagoshima Governor Shioda requested detailed training information and avoidance of residential areas.
• Past incidents include a U.S. military Osprey crash near Yakushima in November 2023 and emergency landings in Kagoshima due to technical issues.
Summary
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Saga Base plans to conduct Osprey training flights to the Kanoya Air Base starting August 18. The Saga Base, operational since July 9, is finalizing the deployment of 17 Osprey aircraft. Training flights to other bases began earlier this month. Flight paths to Kanoya will be determined by pilots, with measures in place to avoid residential and urban areas, maintaining altitudes above 300 meters. Kagoshima Governor Shioda has requested detailed information on the training and measures to minimize impact on local communities. Previous Osprey incidents, including a U.S. military crash near Yakushima and emergency landings in Kagoshima, have raised safety concerns.
