Latest news with #CampSaga


Japan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Japan Times
GSDF completes relocation of Ospreys from Chiba Prefecture to Camp Saga
The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has completed relocating 17 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft to a new camp in the city of Saga from a camp in Chiba Prefecture, the Defense Ministry has said. The Osprey deployment began in July following the opening of the GSDF's Camp Saga, and the transfer of the last of the 17 aircraft from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture to the new facility was finalized Tuesday. The Ospreys will be operated in coordination with the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan, with a Taiwan contingency in mind. The amphibious brigade is based at the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture and specializes in the defense of remote islands. "The deployment of the Ospreys at Camp Saga is extremely significant in enhancing deterrence and response capabilities," the ministry said.


Washington Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base to beef up southwestern defense
HIROSHIMA, Japan — The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly-opened, permanent base in southwestern Japan, the country's latest move to beef up its defense amid growing tension in the region. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys safely arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said Wednesday.


The Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base to beef up southwestern defense
The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly-opened, permanent base in southwestern Japan, the country's latest move to beef up its defense amid growing tension in the region. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys safely arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said Wednesday. The move is part of Japan's accelerating military buildup, especially in the southwest in recent years, as a deterrence to China 's increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. The tilt-rotor aircraft have been temporarily based at Camp Kisarazu, near Tokyo, since 2020 during construction of the base and other necessary facilities. The rest of the fleet is scheduled to complete its relocation in mid-August, the JGSDF officials said. With the full, permanent deployment at Camp Saga, Japan plans to operate the Ospreys more closely with the country's amphibious rapid deployment brigade at Ainoura, in the nearby naval town of Sasebo, as part of the ongoing plan to reinforce the defense of southwestern remote islands, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Tuesday. 'The security environment surrounding Japan has been increasingly severe, and it is our pressing task to strengthen our island defense capabilities,' he said. Camp Saga ground forces also work with 50 helicopters based at another nearby camp, Metabaru, as well as with air force and navy personnel based in the area. The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in southern Japan, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. In November 2023, a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military, and an investigation has found human error was the cause.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base to beef up southwestern defense
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly-opened, permanent base in southwestern Japan, the country's latest move to beef up its defense amid growing tension in the region. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys safely arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said Wednesday. The move is part of Japan's accelerating military buildup, especially in the southwest in recent years, as a deterrence to China's increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. The tilt-rotor aircraft have been temporarily based at Camp Kisarazu, near Tokyo, since 2020 during construction of the base and other necessary facilities. The rest of the fleet is scheduled to complete its relocation in mid-August, the JGSDF officials said. With the full, permanent deployment at Camp Saga, Japan plans to operate the Ospreys more closely with the country's amphibious rapid deployment brigade at Ainoura, in the nearby naval town of Sasebo, as part of the ongoing plan to reinforce the defense of southwestern remote islands, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Tuesday. 'The security environment surrounding Japan has been increasingly severe, and it is our pressing task to strengthen our island defense capabilities,' he said. Camp Saga ground forces also work with 50 helicopters based at another nearby camp, Metabaru, as well as with air force and navy personnel based in the area. The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in southern Japan, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. In November 2023, a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military, and an investigation has found human error was the cause.

Associated Press
09-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base to beef up southwestern defense
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — The Japanese army on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly-opened, permanent base in southwestern Japan, the country's latest move to beef up its defense amid growing tension in the region. The first of the fleet of 17 Ospreys safely arrived at its new home base of Camp Saga, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force said Wednesday. The move is part of Japan's accelerating military buildup, especially in the southwest in recent years, as a deterrence to China's increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. The tilt-rotor aircraft have been temporarily based at Camp Kisarazu, near Tokyo, since 2020 during construction of the base and other necessary facilities. The rest of the fleet is scheduled to complete its relocation in mid-August, the JGSDF officials said. With the full, permanent deployment at Camp Saga, Japan plans to operate the Ospreys more closely with the country's amphibious rapid deployment brigade at Ainoura, in the nearby naval town of Sasebo, as part of the ongoing plan to reinforce the defense of southwestern remote islands, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters Tuesday. 'The security environment surrounding Japan has been increasingly severe, and it is our pressing task to strengthen our island defense capabilities,' he said. Camp Saga ground forces also work with 50 helicopters based at another nearby camp, Metabaru, as well as with air force and navy personnel based in the area. The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in southern Japan, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. In November 2023, a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military, and an investigation has found human error was the cause.