GSDF Completes Osprey Deployment to Camp Saga

Newsfrom Japan

Society

Aug 13, 2025 12:32 (JST)

Tokyo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force has completed relocating 17 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft to a new camp in the southwestern city of Saga from a camp in eastern Japan, according to the Defense Ministry.

After the Osprey deployment began in July, following the opening of the GSDF’s Camp Saga, the transfer of the last of the 17 aircraft from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, to the new facility was finalized on Tuesday.

The Ospreys will be operated in coordination with the GSDF’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan, with a Taiwan contingency in mind.

The amphibious brigade is based at the GSDF’s Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture and specializes in the defense of remote islands.

“The deployment of the Ospreys at Camp Saga is extremely significant in enhancing deterrence and response capabilities,” the ministry said.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]

Jiji Press