The U.S. Air Force is set to deploy its CV-22 Ospreys within weeks following a series of safety checks and retraining after a grounding triggered by a fatal crash in November 2023 that killed eight airmen. Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, announced that approximately 60% of the fleet is now operational, with full readiness expected by late 2024 or early 2025. The Ospreys will be deployed to support combat missions, but will not be sent to the Indo-Pacific or European theaters, which already have stationed V-22 units. The crash investigation revealed a catastrophic gearbox failure, compounded by pilot decisions, but Conley emphasized that this was a rare occurrence and not indicative of systemic issues with the aircraft. Despite ongoing mechanical concerns and previous crashes, Conley remains confident in the aircraft's capabilities. The deployment will occur under operational limitations, including a requirement to remain within 30 minutes of a divert airfield.