thedrifter
04-10-08, 08:25 AM
Web-posted Thursday, April 10, 2008
Editorial: In defense of America's defense
V-22 Osprey is making its case in Iraq
A controversial war slogs on and the Amarillo-assembled V-22 Osprey is doing its part in the waging of that conflict.
A second squadron of Ospreys is being deployed to the Iraq theater of operations, where it will take over from the first combat squadron of the ships built here in the Texas Panhandle.
Yes, the tiltrotor aircraft has been controversial. It has endured its trials and tragedy - just as other state-of-the-art aircraft have done since the dawn of the Aviation Age.
The Osprey, though, is proving itself to be a worthy part of the nation's defense arsenal.
The Marine Corps has invested a lot of its talent and treasure in these aircraft.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 is further evidence of the Marines' confidence that the Osprey will be able to take over troop lift and supply operations from aging Vietnam War-era helicopters.
The idea is to move personnel and equipment on and off the battlefield more quickly than the CH-46 dual-rotor helicopters used previously by the Marines. The Ospreys are performing that mission in Iraq.
The new squadron, called the Golden Eagles, will carry out the mission for the next seven months.
The confidence placed in the aircraft by the Marines and the Pentagon brass is a testament to the dedication of the Bell Helicopter Amarillo work force, which - operating at the plant next to Rick Husband International airport - is responsible for final assembly of the Osprey.
They all have earned the nation's respect and Amarillo should take pride in the role it is playing in this important mission.
Ellie
Editorial: In defense of America's defense
V-22 Osprey is making its case in Iraq
A controversial war slogs on and the Amarillo-assembled V-22 Osprey is doing its part in the waging of that conflict.
A second squadron of Ospreys is being deployed to the Iraq theater of operations, where it will take over from the first combat squadron of the ships built here in the Texas Panhandle.
Yes, the tiltrotor aircraft has been controversial. It has endured its trials and tragedy - just as other state-of-the-art aircraft have done since the dawn of the Aviation Age.
The Osprey, though, is proving itself to be a worthy part of the nation's defense arsenal.
The Marine Corps has invested a lot of its talent and treasure in these aircraft.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 is further evidence of the Marines' confidence that the Osprey will be able to take over troop lift and supply operations from aging Vietnam War-era helicopters.
The idea is to move personnel and equipment on and off the battlefield more quickly than the CH-46 dual-rotor helicopters used previously by the Marines. The Ospreys are performing that mission in Iraq.
The new squadron, called the Golden Eagles, will carry out the mission for the next seven months.
The confidence placed in the aircraft by the Marines and the Pentagon brass is a testament to the dedication of the Bell Helicopter Amarillo work force, which - operating at the plant next to Rick Husband International airport - is responsible for final assembly of the Osprey.
They all have earned the nation's respect and Amarillo should take pride in the role it is playing in this important mission.
Ellie