A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft has made an unprecedented landing on a Japanese naval vessel off the California coast. The aircraft flew from San Diego to the Japanese ship Hyuga on Friday as part of an 18-day drill aimed at improving Japan's amphibious capabilities, AP reported. The Osprey has sparked protests in Japan over concerns about its safety record. There were two crashes last year, in Florida and Morocco. The Japanese government approved the deployment of 12 Ospreys in 2012 to Okinawa after receiving additional assurances from the Pentagon. Military officials say the Osprey is critical for regional security efforts. The hybrid aircraft can take off and land like a helicopter. "The very first landing of an MV-22 Osprey on a Japanese ship is a historic moment," said Marine Brig. Gen. John Broadmeadow, adding that the exercise provided the U.S. military "an opportunity to enhance our longstanding relationship with the Japanese and to highlight the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey, which allows the Marine Corps to quickly respond to a crisis when launched from sea or land."
