thedrifter
08-23-06, 02:25 AM
US Marines load vehicles into Osprey and CH-53E during recent evaluation
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2006) -- Marines from 1st Battalion. 2nd Marine Regiment loaded Internally Transportable Vehicles onto an MV-22 “Osprey” and a CH-53E during test and evaluation exercises Aug. 10 and 11.
This vehicle is designed to provide a deployed Marine Air/Ground Task Force with a ground vehicle that is transportable in the MV-22.
Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 provided the “Osprey” for the exercises. The CH-53E was provided by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons 461 and 464. Both squadrons made one of their helicopters available on separate days of the exercises.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to match the vehicle up with Marines and operational aircraft,” said John M. Garner, Expeditionary Fire Support System program manager. “It’s an absolutely critical part of the development phase.”
The ITV has been tested for more than a year. The exercises gave Marines an opportunity to gain familiarity with the ITV, which is intended to be convenient for deployed Marines.
“Instead of just using the aircraft to carry in lightly armed infantrymen who are foot-mobile and can only go in with what they carry on their backs, now you can take in some vehicles so they have greater mobility and also take greater fire power,” said Garner. “It just significantly increases their combat capabilities.”
The exercises provided an opportunity for evaluation that may lead to changes according to the needs of Marine Corps aircraft, particularly the MV-22.
“I do not think this changes our mission at all, but adds another capability,” said Capt. Dennis R. Powers, VMX-22 S-1 officer. “Our job is to support the Marines on the ground. If they are walking or riding in a vehicle, we are going to do everything we can to assist them with the mission.”
Different variations of the ITV include a high-mobility weapons platform and communications variants, providing ground units with greater fire power, mobility, and command and control.
“When the Marine Corps gets the ITV, I think recon will love it,” said Sgt. Matthew P. Hall, VMMT-204 crew chief instructor. “Since the V-22 can deliver Marines and their equipment to the objective over greater distances and greater numbers, mission accomplishment will be safe and time efficient.”
Ellie
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2006) -- Marines from 1st Battalion. 2nd Marine Regiment loaded Internally Transportable Vehicles onto an MV-22 “Osprey” and a CH-53E during test and evaluation exercises Aug. 10 and 11.
This vehicle is designed to provide a deployed Marine Air/Ground Task Force with a ground vehicle that is transportable in the MV-22.
Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 provided the “Osprey” for the exercises. The CH-53E was provided by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons 461 and 464. Both squadrons made one of their helicopters available on separate days of the exercises.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to match the vehicle up with Marines and operational aircraft,” said John M. Garner, Expeditionary Fire Support System program manager. “It’s an absolutely critical part of the development phase.”
The ITV has been tested for more than a year. The exercises gave Marines an opportunity to gain familiarity with the ITV, which is intended to be convenient for deployed Marines.
“Instead of just using the aircraft to carry in lightly armed infantrymen who are foot-mobile and can only go in with what they carry on their backs, now you can take in some vehicles so they have greater mobility and also take greater fire power,” said Garner. “It just significantly increases their combat capabilities.”
The exercises provided an opportunity for evaluation that may lead to changes according to the needs of Marine Corps aircraft, particularly the MV-22.
“I do not think this changes our mission at all, but adds another capability,” said Capt. Dennis R. Powers, VMX-22 S-1 officer. “Our job is to support the Marines on the ground. If they are walking or riding in a vehicle, we are going to do everything we can to assist them with the mission.”
Different variations of the ITV include a high-mobility weapons platform and communications variants, providing ground units with greater fire power, mobility, and command and control.
“When the Marine Corps gets the ITV, I think recon will love it,” said Sgt. Matthew P. Hall, VMMT-204 crew chief instructor. “Since the V-22 can deliver Marines and their equipment to the objective over greater distances and greater numbers, mission accomplishment will be safe and time efficient.”
Ellie