Ospreys Join the Fight Supporting Marines in Afghanistan
The U.S. Marine Corps has deployed the first detachment of MV-22B Osprey tilt rotor aircraft to Camp Bastion, in Hellmand province, Afghanistan. The ten aircraft are supporting Task Force Leatherneck area of operations. The aircraft are part of the U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed aboard USS Bataan in the Indian Ocean.
Photo captions: The first wave of MV-22B ‘Osprey’ entering the Taskforce Helmand area of operation. Making military history, the Osprey are the first of their kind to be used in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas J. Hermesman)
The video below provides an initial report about the Osprey MV-22B in Iraq. Official U.S. Defense Department video.
The new aircraft are capable of flying faster than helicopters, and operate more effectively at high, hot desert conditions. The Ospreys were launched from the Batan in three waves, making the 510 nautical mile flight in just over two hours. The Ospreys, which formed the bulk of VMM-263 (Rein) with the 22nd MEU will join Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 as part of MEB-Afghanistan's aviation combat element, Marine Aircraft Group 40.
The 22nd MEU was the first Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct a ship-based deployment with the tiltrotor aircraft. VMM-263 (Rein) attached to the MEU in September, 2008, and was also the first squadron to deploy with the aircraft to Iraq in 2007. The recent mission to the Indian Ocean was the first operational deployment abroad the amphibious landing ships.
Above: The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Batan (LHD 5) launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to fly into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Before their deployment to the Indian Ocean, the Batan and its Ospreys participated in Bright Star 2009, the joint U.S. - Egyptian exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
Below: An MV-22B Osprey receives aerial refuelling from a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules during an exercise over Yuma, Arizona. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon )
Left video: Conclusion of the the first tour of the MV-22 Osprey in Anbar, western Iraq where the aircraft operated with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd). .S. Marines Video.
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Above: The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Batan (LHD 5) launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to fly into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Before their deployment to the Indian Ocean, the Batan and its Ospreys participated in Bright Star 2009, the joint U.S. - Egyptian exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
