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thedrifter
03-21-09, 06:48 AM
Tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft could be coming to Camp Pendleton
Military will host a public meeting in San Clemente on Wednesday to invite comment.
By FRED SWEGLES
The Orange County Register


Could the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey aircraft be coming to Camp Pendleton?

The Marine Corps is proposing to replace its aging West Coast helicopter fleet and is looking at introducing the Osprey, which can hover like a helicopter and also fly like a turboprop airplane.

The Marines announced this afternoon that the Department of the Navy has drafted an Environmental Impact Statement evaluating the plans and will host informational meetings next week for the public in San Diego, San Clemente and Yuma, Ariz.

San Diego: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Scripps Miramar Ranch Branch Library, Community Room, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego.

San Clemente: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Vista Del Mar Middle School, multi-purpose room, 1130 Avenida Talega, San Clemente.

Yuma: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Gila Ridge High School, cafeteria, 7151 E. 24th St., Yuma, Ariz.

Possible sites for basing the Ospreys are up include Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, MCAS Camp Pendleton and MCAS Yuma, said the announcement from Marine Corps Installations West. It could involve full basing at Miramar, split basing at Miramar and Camp Pendleton, split basing at Yuma and Camp Pendleton or split basing at Miramar and Yuma.

"Basing the MV-22 aircraft on the West Coast will modernize the Marine Corps' medium lift fleet and improve the ability of Marine Corps personnel to complete their missions," the announcement said.

The EIS evaluates possible impacts and weighs the proposed sites. People attending next week's informational meetings will be invited to comment in person or in writing.


Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127

Ellie