The U.S. Marine Corps is providing assistance to Japan after two earthquakes struck the country’s island of Kyushu within two days. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck April 14, resulting in nine deaths and widespread damage. The other struck April 16 with a magnitude of 7.3 and caused at least 40 additional deaths and more damage. MV-22B Ospreys with U.S. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced) arrived to provide operational airlift support for the Japanese government’s relief efforts.
The MV-22B Osprey is designed as the medium-lift replacement for the Navy CH-46E Sea Knight assault support helicopter. The Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft and offers twice the speed, six times the range and three times the payload of the CH-46E, making it an ideal aircraft for providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations such as this one.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Justin A. Fisher
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