thedrifter
01-18-07, 03:39 PM
Lejeune Marines take part in Osprey flights
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Jan 18, 2007 13:34:46 EST
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — About 250 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., took their first flight aboard an MV-22 Osprey during integration training Wednesday.
Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.-based Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 provided air support for leathernecks from 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and II Marine Expeditionary Force, according to a news release.
Each Marine was educated on the aircraft and its capabilities before hopping aboard for a flight.
Lance Cpl. Jon Ripp, landing support specialist with Transport Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, stated in the release that most leathernecks have never seen the Osprey in person.
“It was fascinating being up on the Osprey for the first time,” he said. “A lot of Marines think it’s still experimental, which we learned today it’s not. I would trust the Osprey because the bird can pick up and get out of a [landing zone] a lot faster if you were being attacked.”
VMM-263 was the Corps’ first operational Osprey squadron and continues to train as it moves toward its first operational deployment later this year.
The Corps received 13 Ospreys last year and plans to accept delivery of 12 more of the tilt-rotor aircraft this year.
Ellie
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Jan 18, 2007 13:34:46 EST
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — About 250 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., took their first flight aboard an MV-22 Osprey during integration training Wednesday.
Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.-based Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 provided air support for leathernecks from 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and II Marine Expeditionary Force, according to a news release.
Each Marine was educated on the aircraft and its capabilities before hopping aboard for a flight.
Lance Cpl. Jon Ripp, landing support specialist with Transport Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, stated in the release that most leathernecks have never seen the Osprey in person.
“It was fascinating being up on the Osprey for the first time,” he said. “A lot of Marines think it’s still experimental, which we learned today it’s not. I would trust the Osprey because the bird can pick up and get out of a [landing zone] a lot faster if you were being attacked.”
VMM-263 was the Corps’ first operational Osprey squadron and continues to train as it moves toward its first operational deployment later this year.
The Corps received 13 Ospreys last year and plans to accept delivery of 12 more of the tilt-rotor aircraft this year.
Ellie