Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
January 25, 2008 U.S. Marine Corps Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 -- the service's first V-22 Osprey squadron -- has been successful in its air operations of Al Anbar province since arriving in October, the service reports.
The Marines took some heat when they gambled on Osprey development as an aviation linchpin, and some industry experts wondered if the aircraft would be able to survive combat operations.
2,000 missions
The squadron has completed more than 2,000 missions in the first three months of the deployment, keeping about 8,000 people off dangerous roadways and tallying about 2,000 flight hours, the Marines report.
The tiltrotors have accomplished every mission and met every schedule, according to the service.
VMM-263 -- the "Thunder Chickens" -- has flown five Aeroscout missions, one raid, more than 1,400 combat sorties, and maintained an average mission capable readiness rate of 68.1 percent during its deployment, the service reported.
The squad took over the entire range of combat medium-lift assault support missions in support of Multi-National Forces -- West from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 to include battlefield circulation, raid and Aeroscout operations, helicopter/tiltrotor governance, and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel.
The Ospreys flew everywhere throughout the battlefield from Baghdad to Al Qaim, providing an operational capability over distance and time that has "effectively collapsed the battlespace," the Marines say.
'Much appreciated'
"Our area of operations is large and the aircraft's speed and range has been much-appreciated by many of the folks the squadron has supported," said Lt. Col. Paul Rock, VMM-263's commanding officer. "The precision navigation and situational awareness systems in the aircraft have enhanced our ability to perform desert landings in brownout conditions."
During brownout, the MV-22's unique hover capability significantly increases the safety of troops in the execution of combat missions, enabling troops to deploy at precisely the desired coordinates, the Marines said.
"The aircraft has performed better than expected," said Cpl. Daniel Stratman, a VMM-263 crew chief.
"We haven't had to replace any major parts like prop boxes or anything; the main problem out here is getting the parts for this aircraft. We can fix just about anything, the only thing that slows us down is getting the parts."
--Michael Fabey
January 25, 2008 U.S. Marine Corps Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 -- the service's first V-22 Osprey squadron -- has been successful in its air operations of Al Anbar province since arriving in October, the service reports.
The Marines took some heat when they gambled on Osprey development as an aviation linchpin, and some industry experts wondered if the aircraft would be able to survive combat operations.
2,000 missions
The squadron has completed more than 2,000 missions in the first three months of the deployment, keeping about 8,000 people off dangerous roadways and tallying about 2,000 flight hours, the Marines report.
The tiltrotors have accomplished every mission and met every schedule, according to the service.
VMM-263 -- the "Thunder Chickens" -- has flown five Aeroscout missions, one raid, more than 1,400 combat sorties, and maintained an average mission capable readiness rate of 68.1 percent during its deployment, the service reported.
The squad took over the entire range of combat medium-lift assault support missions in support of Multi-National Forces -- West from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 to include battlefield circulation, raid and Aeroscout operations, helicopter/tiltrotor governance, and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel.
The Ospreys flew everywhere throughout the battlefield from Baghdad to Al Qaim, providing an operational capability over distance and time that has "effectively collapsed the battlespace," the Marines say.
'Much appreciated'
"Our area of operations is large and the aircraft's speed and range has been much-appreciated by many of the folks the squadron has supported," said Lt. Col. Paul Rock, VMM-263's commanding officer. "The precision navigation and situational awareness systems in the aircraft have enhanced our ability to perform desert landings in brownout conditions."
During brownout, the MV-22's unique hover capability significantly increases the safety of troops in the execution of combat missions, enabling troops to deploy at precisely the desired coordinates, the Marines said.
"The aircraft has performed better than expected," said Cpl. Daniel Stratman, a VMM-263 crew chief.
"We haven't had to replace any major parts like prop boxes or anything; the main problem out here is getting the parts for this aircraft. We can fix just about anything, the only thing that slows us down is getting the parts."
--Michael Fabey