PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The United States Air Force member who was killed in an Osprey crash off the coast of Japan earlier this week has been identified as a father of two from Massachusetts.
Jacob “Jake” Galliher, of Pittsfield, was one of eight crew members flying in an Osprey V-22 aircraft that crashed Wednesday off Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on the southern main island of Kyushu, the Pittsfield Police Department announced Friday.
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Galliher, a 2017 graduate of Taconic Vocational High School in Pittsfield, “served his country proudly,” the department said in a Facebook post.
While Galliher’s body has been identified, his seven crew members remain missing.
In a statement, Galliher’s family said he leaves behind his beloved wife Ivy, two young sons ages 2 and 7 weeks old, loving family in Lanesborough, and countless friends, all of whom are “grappling with this profound loss.”
“Jake was an amazing father, son, and brother dedicated to his family and friends and we look forward to telling his story when the time is right,” his family said.
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Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement that she was “heartbroken” to learn of Galliher’s death and she extended her thoughts and prayers to his family.
“Here in Massachusetts, we are deeply grateful for the bravery and selflessness of our servicemembers and our hearts go out to his colleagues in the Air Force on this devastating loss,” Healey said.
Secretary Jon Santiago, of the state’s Executive Office of Veterans Services, added, “The Galliher family is enduring every service family’s nightmare, and we hold them in our hearts and prayers as they grieve. May his memory serve as a source of solace and strength.”
The Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, was conducting a training mission at the time of the crash. During flight, it can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster like an airplane.
A fishing boat near the crash site off Yakushima discovered the wreckage, according to the Japanese Coast Guard.
Ospreys have had many accidents in the past. In the wake of this recent crash, Japan suspended flights by its Osprey aircraft Thursday but the Pentagon said U.S Ospreys continue to operate out of Japan.
The Osprey Galliher was in took off from Yokota Air Base and was assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing, according to the USAF.
The cause of Wednesday’s crash is still under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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