Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

SAGA, Japan, Sept. 7 Kyodo - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel line up on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host the GSDF's fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. (Kyodo)

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft (front) deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (3rd from L) inspects the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga on Sept. 7, 2025, as a ceremony was held the same day marking the opening in July of the camp, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (front) is pictured at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga after boarding a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft on Sept. 7, 2025, as a ceremony was held the same day marking the opening in July of the camp, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host its fleet of Osprey aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel line up on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host the GSDF's fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu for its fleet of Osprey aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

SAGA, Japan, July 9 Kyodo - A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025. (Kyodo)

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

An opening ceremony is held at the Ground Self-Defense Force's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Protesters rally outside the Ground Self-Defense Force's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025, against the deployment of an Osprey transport aircraft fleet there.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Ground Self-Defense Force personnel stand in front of a V-22 transport aircraft after its arrival at the the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 9, 2025, shows a Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft upon its arrival at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

Japan's new Osprey base on Kyushu

A Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrives at the GSDF's new Camp Saga in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on the main island of Kyushu on July 9, 2025.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

A U.S. Navy Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (front) and a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey are on display at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event on May 4, 2025.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

A U.S. Navy Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (L) and a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Osprey are on display at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event on May 4, 2025.

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

YONAGUNI, Japan, Dec. 19 Kyodo - The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begins moving a V-22 Osprey aircraft out of Yonaguni Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 19, 2024, as it is to be repaired at the GSDF's base in Chiba Prefecture following an accident during a Japan-U.S. joint drill in the westernmost Japanese island in October. (Kyodo)

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begins moving a V-22 Osprey aircraft out of Yonaguni Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 19, 2024, as it is to be repaired at the GSDF's base in Chiba Prefecture following an accident during a Japan-U.S. joint drill in the westernmost Japanese island in October.

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begins moving a V-22 Osprey aircraft out of Yonaguni Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 19, 2024, as it is to be repaired at the GSDF's base in Chiba Prefecture following an accident during a Japan-U.S. joint drill in the westernmost Japanese island in October.

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begins moving a V-22 Osprey aircraft out of Yonaguni Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 19, 2024, as it is to be repaired at the GSDF's base in Chiba Prefecture following an accident during a Japan-U.S. joint drill in the westernmost Japanese island in October.

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

GSDF Osprey bound for Chiba for repair

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begins moving a V-22 Osprey aircraft out of Yonaguni Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 19, 2024, as it is to be repaired at the GSDF's base in Chiba Prefecture following an accident during a Japan-U.S. joint drill in the westernmost Japanese island in October.

U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey

U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey

A U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey takes off from the U.S. base in Iwakuni, in western Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Nov. 17, 2024.

U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey

U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey

A U.S. Navy CMV-22 Osprey is shown to the media at the U.S. base in Iwakuni in western Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture on Nov. 17, 2024.

U.S. Navy Osprey at Iwakuni base

U.S. Navy Osprey at Iwakuni base

A U.S. Navy CMV22 Osprey prepares to land at a U.S. military base in Iwakuni in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on Nov. 8, 2024. The Navy has apparently begun deploying its variant of the Osprey aircraft at the base, according to a source close to the matter.

Futenma air base in Okinawa

Futenma air base in Okinawa

An Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is displayed during a public event at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Oct. 5, 2024.

Iwakuni city willing to accept Osprey deployment

Iwakuni city willing to accept Osprey deployment

Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda (front) speaks at a city assembly session in Yamaguchi Prefecture on Aug. 27, 2024, expressing the western Japan city's intention to accept the deployment of U.S. Navy Ospreys at the U.S. military's Iwakuni base.

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

Photo taken on June 7, 2024, shows U.S. military MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft parked at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa.

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

File photo taken on Dec. 8, 2023, from a Kyodo News plane shows a U.S. military MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft parked at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan in Japan's southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

U.S. military's Futenma air base in Okinawa

Photo taken on Dec. 19, 2023, shows U.S. military MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft parked at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa.

Osprey flies over Okinawa

Osprey flies over Okinawa

An Osprey aircraft prepares to land at the U.S. military's Futenma air base in Ginowan in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 1, 2023. One of the U.S. military's Ospreys crashed in waters off a small Japanese island two days earlier, prompting Tokyo to request they be grounded temporarily.

Osprey flies over Okinawa

Osprey flies over Okinawa

An Osprey aircraft takes off from the U.S. military's Futenma air base in Ginowan in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 1, 2023. One of the U.S. military's Ospreys crashed near a small Japanese island two days before, prompting Tokyo to request they be grounded temporarily.

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki speaks to press

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki speaks to press

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks to the press on Nov. 29, 2023, in Naha in Japan's southernmost prefecture after a U.S. military Osprey aircraft headed for a U.S. base in the prefecture crashed in waters off Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan the same day.

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki speaks to press

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki speaks to press

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks to the press on Nov. 29, 2023, in Naha in Japan's southernmost prefecture after a U.S. military Osprey aircraft headed for a U.S. base in the prefecture crashed in waters off Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan the same day.

JAPAN-U.S.-OSPREY AIRCRAFT-CRASH

JAPAN-U.S.-OSPREY AIRCRAFT-CRASH

(231129) -- TOKYO, Nov. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This file photo taken on Nov. 25, 2023 shows Osprey military transport aircrafts at a U.S. base in Okinawa, Japan. A U.S. Osprey military transport aircraft carrying eight people crashed off Japan's southwestern island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture on Wednesday, local media reported. (Xinhua/Feng Wuyong)

GSDF Osprey aircraft in Okinawa

ISHIGAKI, Japan Kyodo - A drill for transporting injured personnel is carried out using a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey tilt-rot　or aircraft at Ishigaki airport on Ishigaki Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on Oct. 24, 2023, as part of a joint exercise between the GSDF and the U.S. Marine Corps. (Kyodo)

U.S. military's Osprey in Japan

U.S. military's Osprey in Japan

SENDAI, Japan, Feb. 20 Kyodo - Photo taken on Feb. 19, 2018, shows the U.S. military's Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft at the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Kasuminome base in Sendai, Japan.

Prime Minister Abe attends air review ceremony

Prime Minister Abe attends air review ceremony

OMITAMA, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R in front) inspects a MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps during an annual air review at Japan's Self-Defense Force's Hyakuri Air Base in the city of Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Oct. 26, 2014. The ceremony was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

YAMANASHI, Japan - A MV-22 Osprey aircraft conducts landing and takeoff exercises at Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Kita-Fuji training field in Yamanashi Prefecture on Aug. 20, 2014. Two of the four Ospreys temporarily stationed at Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is jointly used by the U.S. Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, joined the exercise.

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

YAMANASHI, Japan - A MV-22 Osprey aircraft flies over Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Kita-Fuji training field in Yamanashi Prefecture during landing and takeoff exercises on Aug. 20, 2014. Two of the four Ospreys temporarily stationed at Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is jointly used by the U.S. Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, joined the exercise.

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

2 Ospreys conduct exercises at GSDF training areas

YAMANASHI, Japan - A MV-22 Osprey aircraft flies over Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Kita-Fuji training field in Yamanashi Prefecture during landing and takeoff exercises on Aug. 20, 2014. Two of the four Ospreys temporarily stationed at Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is jointly used by the U.S. Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, joined the exercise.

U.S. Marines send 2 Osprey aircraft to Sapporo amid local protests

U.S. Marines send 2 Osprey aircraft to Sapporo amid local protests

TOKYO, Japan - Two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the U.S. base in Iwakuni in western Japan stop over at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo for refueling on July 19, 2014, on their way to Sapporo in Hokkaido. It was the first time an MV-22 had flown to the Tokyo area since the tilt-rotor aircraft's deployment in Japan in 2012.

Osprey after leaving Atsugi base

Osprey after leaving Atsugi base

YAMATO, Japan - An MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft flies in fixed-wing mode after leaving Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture for Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture on July 15, 2014.

Osprey about to land at Atsugi base

Osprey about to land at Atsugi base

YAMATO, Japan - An MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft from the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture is about to land at Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture on July 15, 2014.