Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said July 20 the Self-Defense Forces plan to deploy Osprey transport aircraft at Saga airport when it begins introducing the U.S. tilt-rotor plane in fiscal 2015.
In his first public mention of a deployment site for SDF-operated Osprey aircraft, Onodera said he had informed Saga Gov. Yasushi Furukawa of the plan.
The government will procure 17 Ospreys for the SDF by fiscal 2018. If Saga Prefecture agrees to host the aircraft, they will be deployed at Saga airport. (Kyodo)
小野寺五典防衛相は7月20日、2015年度に自衛隊が輸送機オスプレイを導入するにあたり、佐賀空港に配備する計画があると表明した。
The Japan Times ST: August 1, 2014