TOKYO — Six Osprey hybrid aircraft were transferred to a US base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Monday — and were greeted by protesters outside the fence showing their concern about the plane’s safety.
The aircraft — which takes off like a helicopter and flies like an airplane — flew safely from Iwakuni, on the Japanese main island, to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, according to Captain Justin Jacobs with the Third Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa.
All told, 12 of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft will be stationed at Futenma, which is surrounded by residential areas. It isn’t clear when the remaining six will be moved.
Many Okinawa residents oppose their deployment after crashes in Morocco and Florida earlier this year, saying they are not safe to fly in the island’s crowded environment. An incident in North Carolina last month that officials called a ‘‘precautionary landing’’ further aggravated the sentiment.
Japan’s central government gave the green light for operations to begin after a visit last month by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who said Washington is confident in the safety of the aircraft.
‘‘Who can say, ‘We understand’ about something like this that could fall on our heads? It’s extremely disappointing and regrettable,’’ Okinawa’s governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, told reporters.
The issue has reignited longstanding anger over the heavy presence of American troops on Okinawa.