Rep. Kelly Opening Remarks on Joint Seapower & Projection Forces And Readiness Subcommittee Hearing

Washington, D.C., February 10, 2026
“As the Department approaches the end of V-22 production, it is essential that ongoing reliability upgrades and sustainment reforms are fully implemented and sustained,” Seapower & Projection Forces Subcommittee Chairman Kelly said. “The men and women who fly and maintain these aircraft deserve confidence that safety remains the top priority, and we need them for operational requirements.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces, delivered the following remarks at a joint Readiness and Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee hearing on the response to aviation safety mishaps and low readiness numbers of the V-22 Osprey over the past five years. 

Chairman Kelly’s Full Opening Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

Today, the Seapower and Projection Forces and Readiness Subcommittees meet to receive testimony on the status of the V-22 Osprey program.

The V-22 provides a unique and important capability to the Joint Force. Its speed, range, and ability to operate from ships and austere locations have made it a critical asset for the Marine Corps, the Navy, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

For nearly two decades, it has supported combat operations, training, and humanitarian missions around the world, and the Department of War continues to express confidence in the aircraft’s operational value and its future role in the force.

At the same time, the program has faced persistent safety, readiness, and sustainment challenges.

Since the V-22 entered service, mishaps have resulted in the loss of 65 service members.

Most recently, the November 2023 CV-22 crash off the coast of Japan, which claimed the lives of eight Air Force personnel, led to a fleetwide grounding and a comprehensive review of the aircraft’s safety and performance.

That review, along with a separate assessment by the Government Accountability Office, identified longstanding mechanical reliability issues—particularly in the drivetrain—as well as high maintenance demands, parts shortages, and challenges in sustainment and data use.

Both reviews also underscored the importance of disciplined risk management and clear communication across the Joint Program Office and the services.

We must put these challenges into perspective.

Operators still have missions, and these material issues have contributed to low mission-capable rates across the fleet.

As the Department approaches the end of V-22 production, it is essential that ongoing reliability upgrades and sustainment reforms are fully implemented and sustained.

The men and women who fly and maintain these aircraft deserve confidence that safety remains the top priority, and we need them for operational requirements.

We appreciate our witnesses joining us today and look forward to their testimony as we continue our oversight of this important program.