U.S. Identifies Airmen Killed in Osprey Crash as Search-and-Rescue Operation Becomes Recovery Mission

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Dec. 5 (UPI) — The United States military has officially identified the eight American airmen who tragically lost their lives in an Osprey aircraft crash off the coast of Japan last week. Alongside this announcement, officials have declared that the search-and-rescue mission for the missing airmen has transitioned into a search-and-recovery operation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a CV-22 Osprey crashed just off the shore of Yakushima, an island located approximately 45 miles south of the Kagoshima region. Immediate efforts were launched to locate and rescue the eight airmen who were on board the hybrid aircraft. While the remains of one airman, Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, have been recovered, the status of the remaining seven airmen remains unknown.

President Joe Biden expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of these brave servicemen and women. In a statement released on Tuesday, he and first lady Jill Biden expressed their heartfelt sympathy for the families and friends of the deceased airmen. The President emphasized the importance of the military and their families, stating that they are the backbone of the nation.

According to the U.S. Air Force, the remains of three additional airmen have been recovered, bringing the total to four. Efforts are still underway to locate and recover the remains of the remaining two service members. The identified victims of the crash include Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, 24; Maj. Eric Spendlove, 36; Maj. Luke Unrath, 34; Capt. Terrell Brayman, 32; Tech. Sgt. Zachary Lavoy, 33; Staff Sgt. Jake Turnage, 25; and Senior Airman Brian Johnson, 32.

The cause of the crash is currently attributed to an undefined mishap that occurred during a routine training mission. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall expressed his condolences and admiration for these dedicated airmen. He highlighted their commitment to the mission and the impact of their loss on the Department of the Air Force.

Moving forward, the focus of the recovery operation will be on locating and retrieving the remaining remains and aircraft debris. The families of the victims have been notified, and the Air Force is providing support during this difficult time. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to gather more information about the incident.

“The entire Department of Defense mourns alongside the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives today in the service of their country,” said Secretary Austin. He also extended his condolences to those who were serving alongside the fallen airmen in Japan.

As the recovery operation continues, the U.S. military remains dedicated to honoring the memory of the lost airmen and providing support to their grieving families, friends, and teammates. The tragic accident serves as a reminder of the risks that servicemen and women undertake every day in the line of duty..