In light of the crash landing of the U.S. forces’ Osprey in shallow waters off Nago City in Okinawa, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, Okinawa Area Coordinator, visited a community hall near the site of the accident on Dec. 19 and apologized to the local residents gathered there. Nicholson said: “We are very sorry for causing the trouble.” He thanked the locals for their cooperation in providing parking space for vehicles working at the accident site.

After the meeting with the local citizens, Nicholson told reporters: “The Ospreys have been flying over Okinawa for four years without a single accident so far. The Marine crew members are confident that preparations have been completed today for the resumption of flights without endangering the Okinawan people.” Masumi Toyama, 38, chief of Abu district, said: “We would like to give credit to his apology in person.”