Americas The Mayor of Iwakuni, Yoshihiko Fukuda, has agreed to the US Navy’s deployment of CMV-22 Osprey aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, marking the first stationing of this tilt-rotor variant in his city. The decision aligns with a broader realignment of U.S. military assets in the region, which includes the rotation of aircraft carriers and the introduction of F-35C stealth fighter jets. This deployment will add to the existing Osprey presence in Japan, complementing the Marine Corps’ MV-22s at Futenma air base in Okinawa and the Air Force’s CV-22s operating from Yokota base near Tokyo. Mayor Fukuda’s acceptance comes amid lingering safety concerns surrounding the Osprey platform, which has been involved in several incidents both in Japan and abroad. The mayor cited assurances from Japanese and U.S. officials regarding the aircraft’s safety as a key factor in his decision. He also noted that the overall number of aircraft at the base is expected to decrease by approximately 10 following the deployment, potentially mitigating environmental impacts such as noise levels. The US Army has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems another low-rate initial production contract for the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle. The $322.7-million contract modifies an identical contract awarded in June, […]
