The black helicopters are coming….

That’s right folks, they’re on their way, at least in Okinawa. I confess that I don’t love the way this translation came out, but I’m trying to err on the side of being too close to the original in terms of structure, rather than taking artistic license with the text. But, not sure what else you can do when reporting that some helicopters, however divisive to the local citizenry, are going on training flights.

Any wisdom? オスプレイ:初の夜間 飛行 普天間

毎日新聞 2012年10月23日 21時41分 （最終更新 10月23日 21時50分）

在日米海兵隊は２３日夜、普天間飛行場 （沖縄県宜野湾市）の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２ オスプレイを配備後初めて夜間飛行させ た。

海兵隊は、普天間飛行場への配備を１日 から始め、夜間訓練で初飛行した機体を含 めて１２機中１０機が訓練飛行を終えた。

米軍関係者によると、夜間飛行訓練が実 施されたことで、今後は海兵隊員を乗せた 強襲作戦訓練が行われる見通し。沖縄での 運用は一層活発化する。

普天間飛行場からは２３日午後７時４分 に１機が、同２４分に別の１機が離陸。暗 闇の中を北向きに飛び立つのを共同通信記 者が目撃した。（共同）

http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20121024k0000m040067000c.html

Osprey: First night flights at Futenma

The US Marine Corps stationed in Japan conducted the first night-time flights of the new MV22 Osprey helicopter since deployment at the Futenma Airbase (Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture).

The Marines began deployment to Futenma Airbase starting on the 1 st , and of 12 helicotpers, have completed training flights in 10, including this first night flight.

According to US military sources, with the completion of this night-time training flight, additional training flights practicing assault tactics carrying Marine personnel are planned. As such, operational activity in Okinawa will increase greatly.

At 7:04 pm on the 23 rd , one chopper took off from Futenma Airbase and another at 7:24. A Kyodo News Service reporter observed them flying northward in the darkness.