thedrifter
06-16-06, 05:49 AM
Fighting Griffins learning to fly with new wings
June 16,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 are no more — at least until the New River squadron, with its mythological beast of a mascot, learns to fly with new wings.
The kind that rotate.
The New River-based CH-46 squadron stood down Thursday to begin training to fly the MV-22 Osprey. Once the squadron stands back up early next year, it will be the Marine Corps’ second deployable Osprey unit.
Right now, the Thunder Chickens of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, another New River squadron, is training to become the first deployable Osprey squadron.
At a ceremony on the New River flightline, the squadron cased its colors and looked ahead to a part in “the next chapter of Marine Corps aviation.” It also paid homage to the aging CH-46, a two-rotor helicopter that dates back to the Vietnam era but is still serving in Iraq.
“This signifies the end of 46 operations (for the squadron),” said Lt. Col. Joseph George, who relinquished command of the squadron Thursday. “Everybody will go somewhere else, and that will be it for the Fighting Griffins.”
Much of the squadron’s personnel will move over to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, where they will learn to fly and maintain the Osprey.
The Fighting Griffins are expected to stand back up in March as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, said Maj, Mike Ducar, a squadron pilot. Until then, Ducar said the pilots will go through a intensive training program, a “start from scratch” approach that will include classroom and simulator training before the pilots get behind the Osprey’s controls.
It’s expected to take the Fighting Griffins about 18 months to become a combat-ready Osprey squadron.
The Osprey is considered the future of Marine Corps aviation, despite being embroiled in controversy due to an expensive budget and a number of fatal crashes, including one in Jacksonville in December 2000 that killed four Marines. An Osprey at New River had a mishap in March that caused significant damage to the aircraft but no injuries.
The Marine Corps plans to purchase 360 of the tiltrotor aircraft — which can take off and fly like a helicopter and an airplane — and phase them into the fleet sometime in 2007. Each Osprey costs about $71 million.
1st Lt. Daniel Kaiser, who flew the CH-46 for more than a year including a seven-month tour in Iraq and is now preparing to make the transition to the Osprey, said he volunteered for the chance to do so.
“It’s a brand new aircraft and having the chance to be on the first wave of them,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff it can do. It’s going to be a great asset.”
But Kaiser said he’ll still miss the old “Battle Phrog.”
“(The CH-46 is) a good aircraft but old,” he said. “It’s the same aircraft my dad flew in Vietnam.”
George, who has flown the Phrog for 17 years, said it was a bittersweet day for him.
“When I look at the 46, I think of ultimate reliability,” he said. “I was proud to fly that machine in combat.”
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 229.
Ellie
June 16,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The Fighting Griffins of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 are no more — at least until the New River squadron, with its mythological beast of a mascot, learns to fly with new wings.
The kind that rotate.
The New River-based CH-46 squadron stood down Thursday to begin training to fly the MV-22 Osprey. Once the squadron stands back up early next year, it will be the Marine Corps’ second deployable Osprey unit.
Right now, the Thunder Chickens of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, another New River squadron, is training to become the first deployable Osprey squadron.
At a ceremony on the New River flightline, the squadron cased its colors and looked ahead to a part in “the next chapter of Marine Corps aviation.” It also paid homage to the aging CH-46, a two-rotor helicopter that dates back to the Vietnam era but is still serving in Iraq.
“This signifies the end of 46 operations (for the squadron),” said Lt. Col. Joseph George, who relinquished command of the squadron Thursday. “Everybody will go somewhere else, and that will be it for the Fighting Griffins.”
Much of the squadron’s personnel will move over to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, where they will learn to fly and maintain the Osprey.
The Fighting Griffins are expected to stand back up in March as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, said Maj, Mike Ducar, a squadron pilot. Until then, Ducar said the pilots will go through a intensive training program, a “start from scratch” approach that will include classroom and simulator training before the pilots get behind the Osprey’s controls.
It’s expected to take the Fighting Griffins about 18 months to become a combat-ready Osprey squadron.
The Osprey is considered the future of Marine Corps aviation, despite being embroiled in controversy due to an expensive budget and a number of fatal crashes, including one in Jacksonville in December 2000 that killed four Marines. An Osprey at New River had a mishap in March that caused significant damage to the aircraft but no injuries.
The Marine Corps plans to purchase 360 of the tiltrotor aircraft — which can take off and fly like a helicopter and an airplane — and phase them into the fleet sometime in 2007. Each Osprey costs about $71 million.
1st Lt. Daniel Kaiser, who flew the CH-46 for more than a year including a seven-month tour in Iraq and is now preparing to make the transition to the Osprey, said he volunteered for the chance to do so.
“It’s a brand new aircraft and having the chance to be on the first wave of them,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff it can do. It’s going to be a great asset.”
But Kaiser said he’ll still miss the old “Battle Phrog.”
“(The CH-46 is) a good aircraft but old,” he said. “It’s the same aircraft my dad flew in Vietnam.”
George, who has flown the Phrog for 17 years, said it was a bittersweet day for him.
“When I look at the 46, I think of ultimate reliability,” he said. “I was proud to fly that machine in combat.”
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 229.
Ellie