Japan's First V-22 Osprey

Seen here is the first of 17 JSDF V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor craft performing engine tests at the Bell assembly plant in Amarillo Texas. This will be the same variant used by the US Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa. First flight tests are expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Kumamoto Disaster Relief: JMSDF Hyuga in Action

On April 19th following the Kumamoto Quakes, Japan's JMSDF deployed it's "Helicopter Destroyer" Hyuga (DDH-181) to assist in disaster relief operations. The following photos show a USMC V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey landing on the Hyuga's deck to deliver additional supplies. 

USMC V-22 on approach.

 "Call your ball!"

Seen here: Hyuga's crew offloads relief from the USMC V-22 on Hyuga's deck. Other JMSDF ships including the much larger "Helicopter Destroyer" Izumo (DD-183) are being deployed along with U.S. Navy ships to help in relief efforts. We at American Mishima support these efforts to help the people of Kumamoto. Ganbatte Kudasai!

U.S. Marines to the Rescue in Kumamoto

Seen here in this photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins USMC are V-22 Ospreys of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265,  31st Marine Expeditionary Unit preparing to lift off from their base at Futenma Air Station to assist the Japan's SDF in Earthquake Relief efforts. Much like the efforts of Operation Tomodachi in the days following the Tohoku Disaster on 3/11, American Military Units throughout Japan are lending a helping hand to the people stricken by the earthquakes that have hit the area in and around Kumamoto Prefecture.

As of late, some 42 people are reported dead from the two powerful earthquakes and some 110,000 people have been forced to evacuate. With American help, the SDF will be able to reach villages and other areas inaccessible by roads due to earthquake damage. We at American Mishima will continue to pray for the People affected by this disaster and hope relief comes to them soon.

Japan's New Izumo Carrier Gets Commissioned

After lengthy sea trials, the JMSDF commissioned it's newest class of "Helicopter Destroyer" carrier DDH-181 Izumo in a formal ceremony atop her decks on March 25th, 2015. The Izumo is one of two scheduled ships of her size and class to be built for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. The Izumo is the exact size of the WWII IJN Carrier Shokaku. What separates the Izumo from other aircraft carriers is the absence of a steam catapult or ski-lift. However this does not stop the Izumo from carrying STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing) aircraft such as the proposed F-35B variant of the F-35 II Lightening. 

 

All fixed wing aircraft debates aside, the Izumo will carry up to 25 aircraft. She is planned to carry up to 9 V-22 Ospreys, 7 ASW helicopters, and 2 SAR helicopters. The Izumo comes fully loaded with an electronic suite, antisubmarine gear, 2 phalanx guns, and 2 SeaRam Close in weapon systems making her a formidable weapons platform for the 21st Century. 

So now that you got your commission, what are you going to do next? Well, for the Izumo it's six months of training out of her home port at Yokosuka than off to her first patrol doing surveillance. While the Izumo may appear small next to the US Navy's Nimitz Carriers, she carries enough firepower and equipment to provide a variety of missions from humanitarian to peacekeeping. While the debate will continue on the part of PM Shinzo Abe as to the need to scrap Article 9's provisions limiting Japan's defense forces, we at American Mishima hope to see Japan one day have a fixed wing aircraft carrier of her own to help provide more security in the region and continue to play an ample role in our continued military alliance. Until that time we wish the Captain and the crew of the Izumo a big Ganbarre and may she keep Japan safe.