The Marine Corps recently touted the success of the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that just returned from its first combat deployment to Iraq. A squadron of Ospreys successfully flew more than 2,500 missions during six months in support of Marines based in western Iraq’s Anbar province.
The Marines initially feared that the Ospreys in Iraq would be tucked away and not used because of the aircraft’s high profile, said Lt. Col. Paul Rock, who commanded the Osprey squadron in Iraq. But it turned out they were used in a wide range of missions across western Iraq, including raids, air assault missions, medevac operations and as scout aircraft.
Lt. Gen. George Trautman, the Marines’ deputy commandant for aviation, was effusive in his praise of the aircraft’s performance in a meeting with reporters, saying it exceeded all expectations for reliability and performance. The Osprey required nine and a half hours of maintenance per flight hour, versus 24 hours for the CH-46, according to statistics provided by the Marines.
The flying conditions in Iraq’s desert were surprisingly less harsh than those encountered during operational testing in the deserts of Arizona, Rock said. The squadron did not have to replace rotor blades or other parts as often as they had expected, although the region’s fine dust and intense heat meant the aircraft’s engines had to be replaced frequently. The Ospreys that have returned from Iraq are being stripped down and thoroughly examined for wear and tear on all parts of the aircraft, he said.
There were concerns about the Osprey’s vulnerability to groundfire in Iraq, since insurgents there have shot down a number of U.S. helicopters. But no Osprey was damaged by groundfire. Rock said that since the Osprey flies much faster than the CH-46 and has maneuverability similar to a fixed-wing aircraft, its vulnerability to groundfire can’t really be compared to that of conventional helicopters.
Another Osprey squadron of 12 aircraft is currently flying in Iraq. Trautman said there are no plans to deploy the Osprey to Afghanistan, where 3,500 Marines are currently fighting in the southern parts of the country. But he said he is convinced the aircraft would perform better there than the CH-46 helicopters the Marines are using.
The Marines have taken delivery of 50 Ospreys and plan to buy them at a rate of 30 aircraft per year. The Air Force wants 50 Ospreys for its special operations troops, and the Navy wants 48 for search-and-rescue operations. Gen. Trautman said the Air Force Special Operations Command is “leaning forward” in plans to use a modified version of the Osprey, which may include the addition of a belly-mounted turret to give the aircraft a better field of fire.
Asked about the lack of a turret-mounted weapon on the Marine variant, Col. Rock quipped: “Never ask a Marine if he wants more guns on his airplane. More guns is good.”
The Golden Eagles of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 are busy preparing to relieve the VMM-263 Thunderchickens according to the squadron sergeant major. Though the squadron was activated on June 30, 1951 as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron, VMM-162 became the second Osprey squadron in August.
z – Job well done Thunderchickens – Welcome Home! Keep your heads down and give ‘em hell Golden Eagles!
