This post has been updated with additional information from Air Force Special Operations Command.
The Navy’s fleet of CMV-22B Ospreys are grounded under an “operational pause” and Marine Ospreys are operating under safety restrictions after an unplanned landing of Air Force Special Operation Command Osprey, USNI News has learned.
Early Monday morning, Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander of Naval Air Forces, ordered the pause after Naval Air Systems Command issued a recommendation to V-22 operators Marines, Air Force and Navy to V-22 operators on Dec. 6, a Navy spokesperson confirmed to USNI News. Likewise, AFSOC has paused operations, according to a statement to USNI News.
“Today, Naval Air Forces directed an operational pause for all U.S. Navy CMV-22B Ospreys following a recommendation from Naval Air Systems Command. The operational pause allows us to determine if any additional safety measures are necessary,” reads the statement from the Navy.
Likewise, the Marines ordered a 96-hour operational pause that placed restriction on non-essential lights of the service’s MV-22 Ospreys, a spokesperson told USNI News on Monday.
“In response to a NAVAIR recommendation on the V-22 Osprey fleet, the Marine Corps has decided to implement a 96-hour operational pause for non-essential flight operations starting on Dec. 6,” reads the statement.
“This pause will give us time to determine if any additional measures are necessary to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of this critical capability. The Marine Corps remains confident in the safety and effectiveness of the MV-22.”
The operational pause came after an AFSOC CV-22B made an unplanned landing ahead of the NAVAIR recommendation.
“While performing a local training mission, a CV-22 Osprey from Cannon AFB, N.M. made a precautionary landing Nov 20, 2024. There were four personnel on board and no injuries were reported nor known damage to the aircraft because of the landing. The incident is under investigation and initial information indicates there was a materiel failure that has not been seen before leading to the recommendation for an operational pause while analysis is conducted to determine if the current flight restrictions are adequate or additional need to be implemented,” reads a Monday statement from AFSOC
The new pause comes amidst ongoing restrictions on V-22s following the Dec. 6, 2023, crash of an AFSOC CV-22B off the coast of Japan.
