The Defense Department is moving forward with plans to move MV-22 Osprey aircraft to III Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in late July. The aircraft, which take off like helicopters and convert midair to fly like fixed-wing planes, will replace aging CH-46 helicopters. The move is taking place with close cooperation and communication with Japanese authorities, to take into account Japanese concerns about safety and noise issues associated with the Osprey.