A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observes an MV-22 Osprey with VMM-262 (Rein), 31st MEU, follows on Okinawa, Japan, March 19, 2015. (Marine Corps photo by GySgt Ismael Pena) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffThe Marine Corps has reduced the number of MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Okinawa to 20 aircraft from 24, Stars and Stripes reported, in a move that falls in line with the service’s overall Force Design strategy.
Two units – Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons 262 and 265 – absorbed the cuts. Both are based at Futenma Marine Corps Air Station. The number of personnel needed to maintain and fly the aircraft has been adjusted as well.
Under the Force Design strategy, the Marines are reshaping assets to forge capabilities that would be better suited to confront and overcome any potential threats posed by China’s expanded military presence in the Pacific theater, the article stated.
“Force Design realignment reflects a comprehensive evaluation of the structure and number of Marine Medium Tiltrotor squadrons to enhance their overall effectiveness and responsiveness to meet Global Force Management (GFM) requirements,” Capt. Pedro Caballero, a spokesman, told Stars and Stripes in an email.
This latest announcement of cuts in MV-22 presence is not the first. The article noted that similar reductions took place last year at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and New River, North Carolina Marine Corps Air Stations, following other cuts in California in 2023.
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