In a tragic incident last week, an American CV-22 Osprey aircraft crashed off the southwestern coast of Japan, resulting in the loss of eight crew members. The identities of the fallen servicemen have now been revealed.

The search and rescue team has been diligently working to recover the crew members and their remains. As of Tuesday, three members have been recovered, and the remains of three others have been located. The search is still ongoing for the two missing bodies.

The crew members who lost their lives in the crash have been identified as:
- Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minnesota, a CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training.
- Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, a residency-trained flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander.
- Maj. Luke A. Unrath, 34, of Riverside, a CV-22 pilot and flight commander.
- Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, New York, a CV-22 pilot and flight commander.
- Tech. Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Florida, a medical operations flight chief.
- Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Georgia, a flight engineer.
- Senior Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a flight engineer.
- Staff Sgt. Jacob 'Jake' M. Galliher, 24, a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Staff Sgt. Galliher's remains were the first to be found, leaving behind his wife Ivy and two young boys. His family released a heartfelt statement describing him as an incredible son, brother, husband, father, and friend.

This tragedy has deeply affected the nation, prompting President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to express their condolences. President Biden stated, "We owe them everything," while emphasizing the support and prayers for the families and friends who have lost a loved one.

The US-made Osprey is known for its hybrid capabilities, combining helicopter-like takeoff and landing with the ability to rotate its propellers forward and fly at high speeds like an airplane. The $90 million CV-22 Osprey was on a training mission when it crashed last Wednesday off Yakushima island.

The search effort has been a joint operation between the Japanese navy and the US military. Recently, divers spotted what is believed to be the front section of the crashed Osprey, along with potentially five missing crew members. The recovery operation is ongoing, with six coast guard ships and two helicopters deployed.

The incident has reignited controversy surrounding the deployment of Ospreys in Japan. While some critics argue that the aircraft is prone to accidents, both the US military and Japanese officials maintain that it is safe.

This marks the second time in three months that an Osprey has been involved in a crash, with three Marines losing their lives during an exercise in northern Australia. The cause of that crash has not been disclosed.

In the wake of these incidents, investigations are being conducted to determine the root causes. A crash investigation report released last month revealed that a mechanical failure related to a clutch was the cause of a previous deadly crash. Measures have been taken to replace the faulty equipment.

The Osprey, utilized by the US Marines, US Navy, and Japan Self Defense Forces, is known for its versatility. However, since 2012, there have been a total of six fatal crashes involving Marine Ospreys, resulting in the tragic loss of 16 lives.

The impact of this tragedy resonates throughout the military community and beyond. The focus now remains on bringing the fallen Airmen home and providing support to their grieving families and loved ones. The US military and Japanese authorities are working diligently to ensure their privacy and offer the assistance they require during this difficult time.

Following the crash, Japan has temporarily suspended all flights of its fleet of 14 Ospreys as a precautionary measure.