MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, JAPAN– Four MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit completed the second day of disaster relief operations utilizing bilateral naval integration in support Joint Task Force Chinzei, led by the Japan Self Defense Force, after the island of Kyushu was hit by a series of earthquakes. 

Four Ospreys flew from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) afloat off the coast of Yatsushiro. The Ospreys picked up approximately 27,000 lbs of relief supplies from the ship. 

“Our ability to seamlessly integrate with the JMDF and rapidly deliver needed supplies to the Japanese people is a testament to the importance of the bilateral training we have done in the past,” said Lt. Col. Christopher M. Murray the commanding officer of VMM-265. “Seemingly simple acts like landing an Osprey on a Japanese ship, requires a great deal of practice, planning and coordination between the aircrew, the sailors on the deck and those in the ship’s tower. Today the request was very short notice, but because of the ship’s experience with MV-22s in the past, it was a routine landing and a very efficient loading and refueling process. In the end, this provided a big payoff when time is of the essence. Our Japanese friends needed these supplies right now, and we were able to assist our JSDF partners in delivering.” 

The 27,000 lbs of relief supplies including blankets, toiletries, food and water were delivered to Hakusui Sports Park, Minamiaso for distribution to earthquake victims in the hardest hit areas surrounding Mount Aso. The delivery was the second in two days by the 31st MEU delivering a total of 47,000 lbs of supplies in less than 48 hours.

The destructive force of the magnitude 6.2 earthquake on Thursday, April 14 followed by the 7.0 earthquake on April 18, and subsequent aftershocks damaged key infrastructure and left many in the vicinity of Mount Aso without water and electricity. Residents are relying on the aerial delivery of relief supplies after substantial landslides left crucial roadways damaged and impassable. More than 40 were killed, hundreds injured and thousands evacuated to shelters.