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Congressional Oversight Committee Launches Investigation into V-22 Osprey Program Following Deadly Crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the wake of a tragic crash in Japan that claimed the lives of eight Air Force special operations service members, including an airman from Kennesaw, a congressional oversight committee has initiated an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program.

Currently, the entire Osprey fleet remains grounded, with the exception of limited Marine Corps flights during emergencies. The recent crash on November 29 has added to the mounting concerns surrounding the program, with over 50 U.S. service members losing their lives in Osprey crashes throughout its lifespan. Alarmingly, 20 of these fatalities occurred within the last 20 months in four separate incidents.

One of the victims, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, hailing from Kennesaw, was identified among the eight service members who tragically perished in the crash. Turnage served as a flight engineer assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, according to the Air Force.

The remaining crew members who lost their lives are:

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• U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minnesota, served as a CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training, assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, was a residency trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• U.S. Air Force Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside, California, served as a CV-22 pilot and flight commander assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• U.S. Air Force Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, New York, was a CV-22 pilot and flight commander assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.

• U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Florida, served as a medical operations flight chief assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was a flight engineer assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
• U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” M. Galliher, 24, hailed from Pittsfield, Mass.

The V-22 Osprey is a versatile aircraft capable of both helicopter and airplane-like flight. However, its history of crashes has raised concerns about potential design flaws.

Japan, the sole international partner operating the Osprey, has also suspended its operations following the November 29 crash.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability has written a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, requesting extensive documentation on the Osprey’s safety record. The committee chairman, Kentucky Republican James Comer, expressed concerns about unresolved mechanical issues and highlighted the fact that most fatalities occurred during training exercises rather than combat operations.

Adding to the pressure, Massachusetts Democrats Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representative Richard Neal, have joined the call for answers regarding the Osprey’s safety record. They represent the home state of Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, one of the eight Air Force special operations service members who tragically lost their lives in the Japan crash.

Emphasizing the importance of safety, the lawmakers urged the Defense Department, as well as the Departments of the Air Force and the Navy, to ensure the aircraft’s safety before allowing servicemembers back on board.

The Osprey became operational in 2007, following extensive testing. Since then, it has played a pivotal role in the Marine Corps and Air Force Special Operations Command. Additionally, the Navy intended to replace its C-2 Greyhound propeller planes, used for personnel transportation on aircraft carriers at sea, with the Osprey.

According to the Air Force, initial assessments suggest that the crash was likely caused by a mechanical malfunction rather than crew error. If confirmed, this would mark the second fatal crash in a year resulting from an aircraft malfunction.

Bell Textron and Boeing form a partnership to produce the Osprey. Both companies have pledged their cooperation with the military’s investigation into the recent crash.

The Osprey Joint Program Office, overseen by the Pentagon, manages all three versions of the Osprey: the Marine Corps’ MV-22, the Air Force’s CV-22, and the Navy’s CMV-22.

In response to the ongoing investigation into the Japan crash, the Joint Program Office has integrated its engineering team into the Air Force Special Operations Command investigation team. The aim is to share information without compromising the inquiry and find a viable way forward for the V-22.

Persistent questions have surrounded the Osprey, notably regarding a long-standing mechanical problem with the clutch. Additionally, concerns have been raised about adherence to safety specifications during manufacturing and the long-term durability of aging parts, especially considering the unique structure and dynamics of tiltrotor flight.

Even Marine Corps Ospreys, which have been used to transport White House staff, press, and security personnel accompanying the president, have been grounded. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed this development.

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