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All things MV-22 Osprey

BigIron

Remotely piloted
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
"Ironically you quoted one of the very men who actually do fly the Osprey."

Twasnt by accident.
You folks are specialists and can sort wheat from chaff, no pun intended.
NY Times are generalist :D
Who do they believe in a case like this aircraft with as many deaths before deployment??
Not that they couldnt have done more research and found the same things I as a generalist found, enough to satisfy myself that the deployment is reasonable and the machine has passed is op-evals.
Of course the fact that Lt Col Odin Lieberman was cashierd for falsifying data during development phase does not make NY Times and others very likely to trust officers who speak well of programs in which they have a significant vested interest.
Occams Razor cuts two ways.


What's your point? That the Naval Aviation Enterprise needs to satisfy the NY Times' discerning audience before deployment?

Who should then speak about the readiness of certain programs other than the military? CNN or perhaps Foxnews? What entity can speak other than NAVAIR?

And educate us how Occams has anything to do with this argument. How do we apply the KISS principle here?
 

xmid

Registered User
pilot
Contributor
We are at war. How many newly designed aircraft, with the possibilities of having flaws, did we press into service during WWII? Most of them? If we had "the greatest generation" making the decisions today we would have the MV-22 AND the F-22 over there already. I think too many people view Iraq not as a war, but as some sort of aggressive foreign policy experiment.
 

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
Look how many aircraft went from an engineers sketch to combat PROVEN in less than 4 years. Granted todays Aircraft are more complex, but the need to appeasae the media by some sickens me.
 

airfrogusmc

Member
From USMC Public Affairs today:

Commandant Announces MV-22 Osprey Deployment

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway, announced today in a press briefing in the Pentagon the planned deployment of the first operational MV-22 Osprey squadron.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) of Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, will deploy to Iraq in September for seven months.

Commanded by Lt. Col. Paul Rock, VMM-263 consists of 171 officers and Marines and 10 MV-22B Osprey Medium Tiltrotor aircraft. Their mission will be to provide medium assault support to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Iraq.

This is an historic moment for the Marine Corps. The MV-22 Osprey is the world’s first operational tiltrotor aircraft, with the ability to take off and land vertically, then rotate its proprotors forward to fly like a conventional turboprop airplane. The Marine Corps stood up the world’s first tiltrotor combat squadron, VMM-263, in March 2006. VMM-263 will conduct the first operational deployment of a tiltrotor to Iraq later this year.

With thousands of safe flight hours of testing and training, in environments ranging from shipboard to the desert, the MV-22 is a mature technology that Osprey crews are eager to bring to bear on today’s missions. The decision to send this aircraft to combat in Iraq underscores our confidence in it. The officers and Marines who will fly this aircraft in combat are highly trained, skilled and dedicated professionals; they are the best America has to offer.

The quantum leap in capability represented by the Osprey will give the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) significantly increased flexibility and reach. The Commandant's priority is to provide Marines in combat the best, most capable equipment available. The Osprey will replace the CH-46 Sea Knight and as such represents enhanced capability. The MV-22 can fly almost three times as fast, five times as far, and much higher than the aircraft it replaces. This gives commanders many more options, and offers improved survivability to the Marines it will transport.

The Osprey provides a much greater degree of surprise, safety and combat survivability than the aircraft it will replace. The MV-22 can transit to the target in airplane mode, more than twice as fast but 80% quieter than a helicopter, dramatically increasing surprise and reducing exposure. It can exploit its huge altitude and range advantages to avoid threats, vary routes and pick unpredictable landing zones beyond the reach of helicopters.

The Osprey also boasts a 75% reduction in infrared signature, and is up to seven times less vulnerable to small arms fire than aircraft it will replace, as proven through live-fire testing. It has triple-redundant hydraulics and flight controls, and can safely operate with only one of its engines turning both proprotors.

If you have further questions or would like further information contact Lt. Col. Scott Fazekas at (703) 614-8029.

-USMC-

Is that what became of HMM 263?

That was the last squadron I was in before getting out in Sept 77.
 

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
VMM-263 History

Is that what became of HMM 263?

That was the last squadron I was in before getting out in Sept 77.

From their official history (and you were there!):

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 was activated initially as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (HMR) 263 on 16 June 1952 and was outfitted with HO-5S helicopters. For it’s first two years of operations the squadron was home based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. During these early months the squadron was occupied in proficiency training, which contributed to the growing body of knowledge of rotary wing aircraft and their employment and ultimately became the basis for the doctrine of vertical envelopment then being developed by the Marine Corps.

On 7 July 1954, HMR-263 relocated to Marine Corps Air Facility New River, North Carolina, where it remained home based for the next eleven years. During this time the squadron participated in over fifteen major exercises and deployments including disaster relief in Tampico, Mexico (Oct 1955) and operations from the submarine USS SEA LION (Mar 1956). During December 1956 the squadron was redesignated HMR(L) 263 and reequipped with new HOK-1 helicopters. Six Caribbean deployments and numerous local training exercises ensued. During February 1962, the squadron was reequipped with the HUS-1 (UH-34) helicopter. In October 1962, HMM-263 was deployed to the Caribbean when the United States initiated a large-scale response to the Soviet Union’s deployment of ICBMs to Cuba. In June 1964, the squadron was a participant in Exercise STEEL PIKE off the coast of Spain, then the largest amphibious exercise since World War II.

During April and May 1965, HMM-263 was deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of the United States’ assistance operations there. On 23 August 1965, HMM-263 was transferred to the Far East and placed under control of the First Marine Aircraft Wing. On 11 October 1965, the squadron moved from Futenma, Okinawa to Marble Mountain Air Facility, Vietnam. For the next two years HMM-263 served in Vietnam participating in over twenty-four named combat operations.

During November 1967, HMM-263 was transferred to Santa Ana, California where it was reequipped with CH-46D helicopters before redeploying to Vietnam in January 1969. The squadron remained in Vietnam until April 1971 and then transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico, Virginia and began flying the CH-46F helicopter. The four years in Vietnam earned the squadron numerous unit awards and a reputation as a hard working, can-do unit. HMM-263 remained home based at Quantico for four years and participated in several cold weather exercises, two Mediterranean cruises, and one Caribbean deployment in addition to numerous smaller training exercises.

During August 1975, HMM-263 relocated to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. While home based at New River, the squadron completed the transition to the CH-46E helicopter over the summer of 1980. For the next seventeen years the squadron deployed in four major NATO exercises, made six Mediterranean cruises, and deployed on Goodwill cruises to Africa, South America and the Caribbean. During the squadron's NATO/Landing Force Sixth Fleet 2-84 deployment, it participated in Exercise TEAMWORK ‘84 in Norway and then served with the Commander Joint Task Force Lebanon in support of Marine Security Forces ashore in Beirut. The squadron first served in Lebanon from October 1982 until March 1983, then again from April 1984 until August 1984.

During the LF6F 1-86 deployment the squadron served as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of the 26TH Marine Amphibious Unit, the first Special Operation Capable MAU, which operated in support of Combined Task Force - 60 during operations in Libya. HMM-263 deployed in May 1987 as the ACE for the 24TH MAU during LF6F 3-87. Contingency operations in the Persian Gulf necessitated splitting the squadron into three sections, operating from CONUS, the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. While deployed, squadron aircraft participated in the seizure of the Iranian mine laying ship "Iran Ajar".

In August 1990 the squadron again found itself headed for the Persian Gulf region. As a part of the 4TH Marine Expeditionary Brigade, HMM-263 was quick to respond to the aggression of Iraq against its Kuwaiti neighbors. Squadron aircraft flew countless hours in support of the amphibious task force, participated in numerous amphibious assault exercises, and conducted a flawless Non-combatant Evacuation Operation of the U. S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. The squadron also assisted in the interdiction of two Iraqi vessels in support of the United Nations mandated embargo of Iraq.

In March 1993 the squadron was called upon to support a USCENTCOM deployment to Somalia participating in operations RESTORE HOPE and CONTINUE HOPE.

During its Landing Force Sixth Fleet 2-95 deployment the squadron deployed aboard the USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) as the Aviation Combat Element for the 24TH MEU(SOC). During this deployment the squadron participated in six large scale, multinational exercises while providing Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) support for NATO operations DENY FLIGHT and PROVIDE PROMISE in the Adriatic Sea. The squadron distinguished itself by conducting the successful TRAP rescue mission of Air Force pilot Captain Scott O'Grady on 8 June 1995. In July 1996 the squadron was selected as the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s "MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON OF THE YEAR" for it's efforts during LF6F 2-95.

Continuing to support the Marine Corps’ Air-Ground team and Joint/Combined forces in a variety of operations and exercises, in 1997 HMM-263 went on an LF6F deployment providing a U.S. presence in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, as well as participating in operation JOINT GUARD in the Adriatic Sea, and operation SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf.

During its deployment in 2000, HMM-263 flew 3780.1 flight hours in support of the 24TH MEU(SOC) from Spain to the Ukraine and Israel. "IN EVERY CLIME AND PLACE" is a phrase that the "Thunder Chicken" team considers the norm.

In its deployment as the ACE for the 24TH MEU(SOC), LF6F 3-02, the squadron broke new ground for the Marine Corps in operational support and force integration. Becoming the first squadron to deploy with a Reserve CH-53E detachment, HMM-263 has led the way in the “Total Force” concept of the Marine Corps. During the nine month deployment the Thunder Chickens flew an unprecedented 9568 hours and participated in Operational Rehearsal DYNAMIC RESPONSE in Kosovo, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Horn of Africa, Exercise IMAGE NAUTILUS in Djibouti, Exercise EDGED MALLET in Kenya, Exercise IRON MAGIC in U.A.E, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in and around Baghdad, Tikrit, and Al Kut, Iraq. From KFOR to JTF-HOA and combat in Iraq, the Marines of HMM-263 continue recording “firsts” in Marine Corps history.
Once again receiving the call to service, HMM-263(Rein) was deployed to Al Taqqadum, Iraq in June and July, 2004. As a helicopter-only composite ACE, they once again engaged in support of combat operations. While participating in Operations like AL FAJR, CITADEL II, RIVERWALK, and PLYMOUTH ROCK, HMM-263 (Rein) totaled 7,472.5 combat flight hours, of which an amazing 4,664.9 were on NVG’s. During this tour, the squadron executed the first all-Iraqi heliborne assault in support of the newly-created Iraqi Security Forces, adding once again to the lengthy list of firsts the squadron has accomplished. The squadron re-deployed in February of 2005 with only seven CH-46E’s in anticipation of the transition to the MV-22.

Upon return to CONUS, the squadron redistributed three more CH-46E’s and still participated in exercises and public relations events. In May of 2005, HMM-263 along with the 24th MEU, participated in Fleet Week in New York city. The squadron and its Marines were highlighted by numerous public events and television broadcasts. On 3 June 2005, HMM-263 stood down and entered a training phase in order to prepare for the transition to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263), the first operational MV-22 squadron in the fleet.
 

tbat15

Registered User
"It's on the front page of NYtimes.com.... "

Great now every rag with a AK will know how much press they will get when they shoot one down.
 

kmac

Coffee Drinker
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
What makes many of you think that it lost a lot of altitude? He didn't really pull nose up before initiating the roll.
 

SMILE4BULLETS

New Member
that video is badass...although, they definitely didnt do any barrel rolls coming into LZ-7 here the other day. i have to admit, they were very impressive during their low-level fly bys, and when they land...it's an awesome site to see. good sh*t!!!
 

Skeet

Banned
Nice vid, and it's about time the osprey became operational. hope they have all the software glitches ironed out.
 
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