Body of sergeant killed when US Air Force Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan is returning home
The body of Jacob “Jake” Galliher, 24, returns, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
A U.S. Air Force aircraft carries the remains of Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
Members from multiple law enforcement agencies pay respects to Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
United States Air Force pallbearers take Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher into Deary Funeral home, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Solemn onlookers lined North Street to witness the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Amanda Bates hands out American flags on North Street during the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
A procession heads through Lenox, Mass., on its way to Pittsfield, Mass., as the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher arrives back in the Berkshires after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
On Massachusetts Turnpike, signs flash between “RIP SGT JAKE GALLIHER” and “THANK U FOR YOUR SERVICE” in Otis, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Westfield, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
People line North Street to watch the motorcade and pay respects to Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
In Lee, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
FILE - A U.S. military CV-22 Osprey takes off from Iwakuni base, Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2018. The remains of a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant from Massachusetts who was one of eight service members lost when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan are being returned home. The body of 24-year-old Jacob “Jake” Galliher was expected to arrive at the Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, for transport in a procession to his hometown of Pittsfield. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
The body of Jacob “Jake” Galliher, 24, returns, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
The body of Jacob “Jake” Galliher, 24, returns, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
A U.S. Air Force aircraft carries the remains of Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
A U.S. Air Force aircraft carries the remains of Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
Members from multiple law enforcement agencies pay respects to Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
Members from multiple law enforcement agencies pay respects to Pittsfield native and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher at Westover Air Reserve Base, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Chicopee, Mass. Galliher was killed during a training mission when a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Japan, Nov. 29. (Hoang “Leon” Nguyen/The Republican via AP)
United States Air Force pallbearers take Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher into Deary Funeral home, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
United States Air Force pallbearers take Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher into Deary Funeral home, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Solemn onlookers lined North Street to witness the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Solemn onlookers lined North Street to witness the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Amanda Bates hands out American flags on North Street during the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Amanda Bates hands out American flags on North Street during the return of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
A procession heads through Lenox, Mass., on its way to Pittsfield, Mass., as the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher arrives back in the Berkshires after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
A procession heads through Lenox, Mass., on its way to Pittsfield, Mass., as the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher arrives back in the Berkshires after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
On Massachusetts Turnpike, signs flash between “RIP SGT JAKE GALLIHER” and “THANK U FOR YOUR SERVICE” in Otis, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
On Massachusetts Turnpike, signs flash between “RIP SGT JAKE GALLIHER” and “THANK U FOR YOUR SERVICE” in Otis, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Westfield, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
Westfield, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
People line North Street to watch the motorcade and pay respects to Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
People line North Street to watch the motorcade and pay respects to Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Pittsfield, Mass. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
In Lee, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
In Lee, Mass., community members and law enforcement gather to pay tribute as a procession leads the casket bearing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Galliher back to Pittsfield, Mass., after landing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Galliher was among those killed when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan. (Stephanie Zollshan/The Berkshire Eagle via AP)
FILE - A U.S. military CV-22 Osprey takes off from Iwakuni base, Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2018. The remains of a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant from Massachusetts who was one of eight service members lost when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan are being returned home. The body of 24-year-old Jacob “Jake” Galliher was expected to arrive at the Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, for transport in a procession to his hometown of Pittsfield. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
FILE - A U.S. military CV-22 Osprey takes off from Iwakuni base, Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2018. The remains of a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant from Massachusetts who was one of eight service members lost when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan are being returned home. The body of 24-year-old Jacob “Jake” Galliher was expected to arrive at the Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, for transport in a procession to his hometown of Pittsfield. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The remains of a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant from Massachusetts who was one of eight service members lost when a CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan are being returned home.
The body of Jacob “Jake” Galliher, 24, was expected to arrive at the Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee on Friday afternoon for transport in a procession to a funeral home in his hometown, Pittsfield.
Members of the Pittsfield police and fire departments, the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office, Massachusetts State Police and the Dalton American Legion Riders were to escort his body, officials said.
The Osprey went down Nov. 29 during a training mission just off Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan while on its way to Okinawa.
Galliher’s remains were the first to be found. Divers recovered the remains of the seventh of the eight crew members last Sunday.
Galliher’s family issued a statement on Dec. 2 saying it was in mourning and asking for privacy and prayers for his wife, two children and other family members.
“Jacob was an incredible son, brother, husband, father and friend to so many. His short life touched and made better the lives of hundreds, if not thousands in Pittsfield, in this region and everywhere he served,” the family said. “Jacob lived to serve his family, his country and the people he loved.”
A week after the crash, the U.S. military grounded all its Osprey V-22 aircraft after a preliminary investigation indicated something went wrong that was not human error.
The U.S.-made Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter but can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster, like an airplane, during flight.
The crash raised new questions about the safety of the aircraft, which has been involved in multiple fatal accidents over its relatively short time in service. Japan grounded its fleet of 14 Ospreys after the crash.