MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Two members of the Japanese House of Representatives visited Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 19 to better understand the MV-22B Osprey aircraft that will soon be stationed aboard the Marine Corps’ air stations in Japan.

Shozo Azuma, the Democratic Party of Japan’s Chairman of the Lower House Committee on Security, and Mikio Shimoji, the People’s New Party of Japan’s Secretary-General, Chairman of Policy Research Council, head of Election Strategy Headquarters and member of the Lower House Committee on Security, experienced the Osprey’s flight transition capabilities first hand after a tour and brief on the benefits of replacing the CH-46E Sea Knights throughout Marine Corps’ bases in Japan.

“Our main goal in inviting these officials into our squadron is to reinforce the Marine Corps’ confidence in this aircraft and its capabilities,” said Maj. Stephen Conley, the operations officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 561 and a Santa Clarita, Calif., native. “We want to explain all of advantages the Osprey holds over the [CH-46].”

This visit marks the second trip in which Japanese officials have visited a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Osprey squadron in an attempt to understand the aircraft that will soon be operational in Japan.

 Twelve aircraft are scheduled to arrive to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing based in Okinawa, Japan, by December 2012. After approximately one year, a final group of 12 more MV-22B’s will arrive.

Roughly 50 percent of VMM-561’s personnel will be sent to 1st MAW for the transition, explained Lt. Col. Brent Reiffer, the Headquarters Marine Corps representative for United States and Japan alliance Pacific, during the tour’s question and answer brief.

The officials began their tour aboard the air station with rides in an Osprey simulator to learn how the aircraft operates in preparation for flights.

This was followed by a detailed safety brief where the dignitaries’ questions concerning the hazards of the aircraft’s use in Japan were addressed. At this time the officials were encouraged to tour and board the aircraft to understand its dimensions.

The following flight was approximately 45 minutes long and consisted of landing drills simulating the length of a runway aboard an aircraft carrier. These drills allowed passengers to experience the Osprey’s dual methods of take-off, acting as either a helicopter or a plane.

As the tour ended and Azuma and Shimoji departed MCAS Miramar, many Marine Corps officials hoped they would not only have a better understanding of the aircraft but will view the MV-22B Osprey as an asset within the country of Japan.