ST. GEORGE — A U.S. Air Force officer from St. George was among the eight crew members who died in a CV-22 Osprey mishap on Nov. 29 off the shore of Yakushima Island, Japan, according to a news release from Air Force Special Operations Command.
Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, was a residency-trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
“We’re deeply saddened to learn about the tragic passing of U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove from St. George, Utah,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wrote on the social media platform, X. “Maj. Spendlove served this nation with honor, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
The incident occurred Nov. 29 when a U.S. Air Force CV-22B Osprey from Yokota Air Base in Japan was involved in an aircraft mishap while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island, with eight Airmen on board.
After days of intensive search and rescue operations, the U.S. military transitioned search and rescue operations to search and recovery operations, the news release said. The transition from a rescue operation to a recovery operation occurs when the determination is made that survivors are unlikely.
Sen. Mitt Romney offered the following reaction on his Facebook page: “Our nation is indebted to United States Air Force Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, from St. George, for his bravery and sacrifice. A residency-trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander, Maj. Spendlove served our country with distinction and honor. Ann and I pray for his loved ones mourning this tremendous loss.”
Added Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Air Force Special Operations Command commander: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and peers of all who are impacted by this mishap and loss of life. In times like these, where service to our nation is not just a personal commitment but also a legacy woven into the fabric of our families, the depth of sorrow is immeasurable.
“The honorable service of these eight Airmen to this great Nation will never be forgotten, as they are now among the giants who shape our history.”
The recovery operation will now focus on locating and recovering all remains and aircraft debris. Of the eight airmen, the remains of three airmen have been recovered and the remains of another three airmen have been located and are in the process of being recovered. The remains of two airmen are still being located.
Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher’s remains were recovered Nov. 29, and the status of the seven remaining airmen transitioned from duty status-whereabouts unknown to deceased status and all families were notified.
The other six crew members, all of whom were assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, include the following:
- Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minnesota, CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training.
- Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside, California, CV-22 pilot and flight commander.
- Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, New York, CV-22 pilot and flight commander.
- Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Florida, medical operations flight chief.
- Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Georgia, flight engineer.
- Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, flight engineer.
As of Wednesday, Spendlove’s family confirmed he is one of the two airmen whose remains are still missing.
Personnel and assets across five military branches alongside the country’s Japanese allies supported the search and rescue operations and will continue to support recovery operations.
“On behalf of all of the joint U.S. teammates actively involved in the search, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan’s Self Defense Force, Coast Guard, law enforcement, mariners, and local Yakushima civilian volunteers for their tireless assistance in the search and rescue operations for our Airmen. Their selfless dedication in our time of need demonstrates the ironclad bond between our nations,” Rear Adm. Jeromy Williams, Special Operations Command-Pacific commander, said in the news release. “We are resolved to locating our aircrew and bringing them home to their families.”
The U.S.-made Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter but can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster, like an airplane, during flight.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Japan has suspended all flights of its own fleet of 14 Ospreys. Japanese officials say they have asked the U.S. military to resume Osprey flights only after ensuring their safety. The Pentagon said no such formal request has been made and that the U.S. military is continuing to fly 24 MV-22s, the Marine version of Ospreys, deployed on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.
Updated Dec. 6, 2023, 1:30 p.m.: Adds information about the status of the search, confirmed by Spendlove’s family, as well as the last three paragraphs.
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