thedrifter
07-14-08, 06:17 AM
Assault support in Iraq
Osprey earns applause
By Jim McBride
jim.mcbride@amarillo.com
Marine Osprey crews have completed about 800 missions in Iraq during the V-22's second deployment and Marine Corps officials said no major aircraft problems have surfaced, despite searing daytime temperatures and gritty desert sands.
Lt. Col. Karsten Heckl, commanding officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, said the Osprey's unique abilities have helped in support missions in the al-Anbar province.
The V-22 is produced under an industry partnership between Bell Helicopter and Boeing. Final assembly is in Amarillo.
The squadron is now ferrying combat troops and supplies to the battlefield, and also performs scouting missions and medical evacuations.
"This aircraft has outperformed my expectations," Heckl said. "Its speed and maneuverability have made it a proven asset in assault support here in Iraq."
Heckl said the Osprey is now operating daily in daytime temperatures that routinely top 110 degrees.
"This environment is challenging for every aircraft here in Iraq," Heckl said. "The maintenance Marines of VMM-162 have done an outstanding job keeping the Osprey in the fight through preventative and routine maintenance."
About 175 Marines and sailors accompanied by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 and 10 civilian contractors deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in late March for a seven-month deployment. The squadron, dubbed the Golden Eagles, is operating 12 aircraft that VMM-263 used during the first Osprey combat deployment, which ended earlier this year.
During the first deployment, Osprey crews uncovered weapons caches in remote areas of the Anbar province and discovered about 30,000 blasting caps, key bomb-making ingredients used in bombing devices.
The military has no plans to use Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys in Afghanistan, but VMM-262amphibious is expected to return to Iraq in the near future as a Marine expeditionary unit aboard ships, said Maj. Eric Dent, a Marine Corps spokesman.
Lance Cpl. Albert F. Hunt / U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to board an MV-22 Osprey aircraft in March on landing zone Sherry in Haqlaniya, Iraq.
Ellie
Osprey earns applause
By Jim McBride
jim.mcbride@amarillo.com
Marine Osprey crews have completed about 800 missions in Iraq during the V-22's second deployment and Marine Corps officials said no major aircraft problems have surfaced, despite searing daytime temperatures and gritty desert sands.
Lt. Col. Karsten Heckl, commanding officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, said the Osprey's unique abilities have helped in support missions in the al-Anbar province.
The V-22 is produced under an industry partnership between Bell Helicopter and Boeing. Final assembly is in Amarillo.
The squadron is now ferrying combat troops and supplies to the battlefield, and also performs scouting missions and medical evacuations.
"This aircraft has outperformed my expectations," Heckl said. "Its speed and maneuverability have made it a proven asset in assault support here in Iraq."
Heckl said the Osprey is now operating daily in daytime temperatures that routinely top 110 degrees.
"This environment is challenging for every aircraft here in Iraq," Heckl said. "The maintenance Marines of VMM-162 have done an outstanding job keeping the Osprey in the fight through preventative and routine maintenance."
About 175 Marines and sailors accompanied by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 and 10 civilian contractors deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in late March for a seven-month deployment. The squadron, dubbed the Golden Eagles, is operating 12 aircraft that VMM-263 used during the first Osprey combat deployment, which ended earlier this year.
During the first deployment, Osprey crews uncovered weapons caches in remote areas of the Anbar province and discovered about 30,000 blasting caps, key bomb-making ingredients used in bombing devices.
The military has no plans to use Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys in Afghanistan, but VMM-262amphibious is expected to return to Iraq in the near future as a Marine expeditionary unit aboard ships, said Maj. Eric Dent, a Marine Corps spokesman.
Lance Cpl. Albert F. Hunt / U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to board an MV-22 Osprey aircraft in March on landing zone Sherry in Haqlaniya, Iraq.
Ellie