DC Photog
7 December 2009, 13:45
Controversial 'Osprey' makes combat debut in Afghanistan
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN — When a couple of VM-22 Osprey tilt rotors joined a fleet of CH-53 helicopters, dropping out of the predawn darkness Friday in the northern end of the Now Zad valley in Helmand Province to deliver the first of more than 1,000 NATO and Afghan troops, it marked not only the first large assault since President Obama's announcement that the U.S. would be sending more troops here, it also was the first major combat operation for the Osprey.
The Marines are hoping that the operation — a sweep to begin to secure the area around the city of Now Zad dubbed Cobra's Anger — will become a key step toward resuscitating the image of the Osprey, which can take off and land like a helicopter, but in the air can tilt its motors forward to fly like a fixed-wing plane.
"It certainly passed its first big test here with flying colors," said Maj. William Pelletier, a spokesman at the Marine Corp's main base in Afghanistan and Helmand Province, Camp Leatherneck.
McClatchy DC (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/national-security/story/80129.html)
I've seen it posted on a few different blogs and news outlets with the designator for the Osprey butchered. Correct me if I am wrong, but it's the MV-22 (USMC) and CV-22 (USAF)? I know the press isn't known for pin point accuracy, but seeing it different spots like this I am wondering if it came an official release.... it's just weird.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN — When a couple of VM-22 Osprey tilt rotors joined a fleet of CH-53 helicopters, dropping out of the predawn darkness Friday in the northern end of the Now Zad valley in Helmand Province to deliver the first of more than 1,000 NATO and Afghan troops, it marked not only the first large assault since President Obama's announcement that the U.S. would be sending more troops here, it also was the first major combat operation for the Osprey.
The Marines are hoping that the operation — a sweep to begin to secure the area around the city of Now Zad dubbed Cobra's Anger — will become a key step toward resuscitating the image of the Osprey, which can take off and land like a helicopter, but in the air can tilt its motors forward to fly like a fixed-wing plane.
"It certainly passed its first big test here with flying colors," said Maj. William Pelletier, a spokesman at the Marine Corp's main base in Afghanistan and Helmand Province, Camp Leatherneck.
McClatchy DC (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/national-security/story/80129.html)
I've seen it posted on a few different blogs and news outlets with the designator for the Osprey butchered. Correct me if I am wrong, but it's the MV-22 (USMC) and CV-22 (USAF)? I know the press isn't known for pin point accuracy, but seeing it different spots like this I am wondering if it came an official release.... it's just weird.