U.S. Osprey aircraft joins drill with Japan's SDF in Kumamoto

U.S. Osprey aircraft joins drill with Japan's SDF in Kumamoto

YAMATO, Japan - A U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft hovers above a team of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members during a joint exercise at the GSDF's Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan on Dec. 7, 2014. It was the first Japan-U.S. drill in the Kyushu region using the Osprey aircraft.

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill with SDF in Kumamoto

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill with SDF in Kumamoto

YAMATO, Japan - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force board an Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps during a joint exercise at the GSDF's Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan on Dec. 7, 2014. It was the first Japan-U.S. drill in the Kyushu region using the Osprey aircraft.

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill in Kumamoto with SDF

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill in Kumamoto with SDF

YAMATO, Japan - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force board an Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps during a joint exercise at the GSDF's Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan on Dec. 7, 2014. It was the first Japan-U.S. drill in the Kyushu region using the Osprey aircraft.

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill with SDF in Kumamoto

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill with SDF in Kumamoto

YAMATO, Japan - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force board an Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps during a joint exercise at the GSDF's Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan on Dec. 7, 2014. It was the first Japan-U.S. drill in the Kyushu region using the Osprey aircraft. (Kyodo)

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill in Kumamoto with SDF

U.S. Osprey aircraft in drill in Kumamoto with SDF

YAMATO, Japan - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force board an Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps during a joint exercise at the GSDF's Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southwestern Japan on Dec. 7, 2014. It was the first Japan-U.S. drill in the Kyushu region using the Osprey aircraft. (Kyodo)