The delivery of Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys to a base in Okinawa sparked concerns by Japanese over the safety of the tilt-rotor aircraft.

According to an Associated Press story last week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the U.S. will delay flight operations until the Japanese government agrees the hybrid aircraft is safe. The concerns were sparked by two recent Osprey crashes.

The aircraft has the ability to land and lift off like a helicopter, then tilt its rotors and fly like a plane. Panetta said the Ospreys are critical to Marines at Okinawa.

He made the comments after meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto, who then left the Pentagon for a flight on an Osprey.

Air Force anniversary to be celebrated

A birthday party for the Air Force is planned for Sept. 15.

The event will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Air Force’s founding as an independent military branch. It will be held from 6-11 p.m. at the Museum of Aviation.

Lt. Gen. Andrew Busch, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, will be the keynote speaker. The Band of the Air Force Reserve will perform. For more information and to order tickets, go to www.robins.af.mil and click on the “anniversary” tab.

Romney leads among military members

According to a new poll, Mitt Romney holds a big lead over President Barack Obama when it comes to the votes of military members and veterans. It’s closer when it comes to civilians with family members in uniform.

A story in the Air Force Times last week cited a Rasmussen Reports poll that gives Romney a lead of 59 percent to 35 percent among troops and veterans. Among civilians with family members in uniform, Romney leads 46 percent to 44 percent. The remaining percentages in both polls are made up of undecided voters or those who prefer another candidate.

Both presidential candidates recently gave speeches at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Reno, Nev., with Obama making the case he has helped veterans and improved national security during his first term, while Romney argued he can do better.

Green Street gate closing to outbound traffic

Robins Air Force Base workers used to exiting through the Green Street gate will have to remember to take another way out this week.

According to a story in the Robins Rev Up on Friday, the gate will closed to outbound traffic Monday through Thursday. The closure is being done to repair a dip in the road. The completion date is dependent on weather.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.