Defense News

U.S

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has announced that flight operations for its MV-22 Ospreys have resumed as of March 14, following a thorough safety assessment by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

In a statement released by the Marines, they explained that the decision to resume flights came after a careful evaluation process aimed at ensuring the aircraft's safety and readiness.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation, emphasized the Marine Corps' commitment to the safety and preparedness of its pilots and aircrew. He acknowledged the tragic incident involving an Air Force CV-22 and reiterated the Marine Corps' dedication to learning from such events. Gering highlighted the deliberate approach taken to reinstate the Ospreys to flight status, expressing confidence in the aircraft's safety and the professionalism of Marine Corps personnel.

Since the grounding of the MV-22s on December 6, 2023, the Marine Corps has focused on maintaining the proficiency and readiness of its aircrews. Despite the suspension of flight operations, aircrew training continued through simulator sessions and academic pursuits. These activities provided opportunities for skill refinement and leadership development.

The Marine Corps expressed trust in NAVAIR's analysis and engineering assessment, which formed the basis for the decision to resume flight operations. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith emphasized the importance of balancing crisis response with modernization efforts, highlighting the need for funding to support training, maintenance, safety, and readiness initiatives.