thedrifter
03-23-07, 08:01 PM
Marines activate 3rd Osprey squadron at Air Station New River
Mar 23, 2007 : 6:59 pm ET
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- Marine Corps Air Station New River activated a third squadron of MV-22 Ospreys on Friday as the Marines continue to make a transition away from the CH-46E Sea Knight.
The tiltrotor aircraft that can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane has been long delayed by fatal crashes and rising costs. But because of the aircraft's speed and agility, the Marine Corps hopes the Osprey will be able to transport troops in and out of combat zones.
"We're going to provide the (Fleet Marine Force) with the operational capability to change the landscape of the battlefield, through speed, agility and increased capacities," said Lt. Col. Christopher C. Seymour, commanding officer of VMM-266.
The Osprey, which has been in development since 1986, can carry more cargo then the CH-46 and fly five times farther at speeds of about 300 mph.
Flights were stopped for about 18 months in 2000 after a pair of crashes near Tuscon, Ariz., and Camp Lejeune killed 23 Marines.
Ellie
Mar 23, 2007 : 6:59 pm ET
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- Marine Corps Air Station New River activated a third squadron of MV-22 Ospreys on Friday as the Marines continue to make a transition away from the CH-46E Sea Knight.
The tiltrotor aircraft that can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane has been long delayed by fatal crashes and rising costs. But because of the aircraft's speed and agility, the Marine Corps hopes the Osprey will be able to transport troops in and out of combat zones.
"We're going to provide the (Fleet Marine Force) with the operational capability to change the landscape of the battlefield, through speed, agility and increased capacities," said Lt. Col. Christopher C. Seymour, commanding officer of VMM-266.
The Osprey, which has been in development since 1986, can carry more cargo then the CH-46 and fly five times farther at speeds of about 300 mph.
Flights were stopped for about 18 months in 2000 after a pair of crashes near Tuscon, Ariz., and Camp Lejeune killed 23 Marines.
Ellie