Ten V-22 Ospreys, the Marine Corps aircraft that lift off like helicopters and fly like airplanes, were launched into Afghanistan from the amphibious assault ship Bataan on Friday.
The Ospreys, in the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, flew to Camp Bastion. It was the first unit to bring the Ospreys into Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Navy. There are more than 2,200 Marines and sailors in the unit.
The Osprey has overcome controversy after a history of crashes. Thirty Marines and civilians died during its development.
A July 1992 accident during a landing at Quantico Marine Corps Air Station killed seven people.
The aircraft are now greatly improved, the military said.
“We have spent more than a year working with the MV-22B and know that the added capabilities this aircraft brings will benefit the Marines currently engaged against the enemy,” Col. Gareth F. Brandl, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, said in a statement.
The aircraft launched from the Norfolk-based Bataan in three waves; the flight took just over two hours.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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The Other Osprey
And I was thinking that some ecological disaster was about to occur, caused by hitch-hiking birds.
Time for the real test
It is time to put the Ospreys to the real test: in combat conditions. The U.S. military has needed an upgrade for its medium lift helicopters for decades. Hopefully the Osprey will fit that need.