“Acid Test” for the Osprey in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

“Acid Test” for the Osprey in Afghanistan
By Jamie McIntyre Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 12:26 pm
Posted in On War

Just a few years ago there were serious questions whether the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor heliplane was simply too unforgiving the fly in combat. But the V-22s proved their worth in dust of Iraq, and now they will get a real test in the thin mountain air of Afghanistan.

My colleague Rick Whittle is writing a book on the Osprey (The Dream Machine, the Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey), and points out this announcement in the latest troop rotation release from the Pentagon:

“Additionally, the secretary of defense approved a request by the commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to deploy a squadron of MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-261, Jacksonville, N.C., to support the needs of forces on the ground in Regional Command-South. This deployment will involve approximately 200 Marines, who will begin deploying in November 2009.”

Here’s Rick’s take:

“This is the first deployment to Afghanistan — and it should be the acid test, given the terrain and climate and the fact that Al Qaeda and the Taliban will surely be gunning for the aircraft if they see it. The Osprey didn’t get shot at much in Iraq because it was flying mainly in Anbar province, which was pretty peaceful at that time. It flew well in Iraq, even in searing heat, but most of that country is barely above sea level. Rotorcraft lose performance at higher altitudes and in hot temperatures, and Afghanistan is pretty high and hot.


Rest of article at: http://www.thelineofdeparture.com/2009/10/20/728/?wh=wh



unhappycamper comment: That's $140 million of aircraft in that picture, folks.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

1. I always think about my nephew when I see a story on the V-22.

One of his best friends was the co-pilot of the Osprey that crashed in Arizona. He was hoping to join the program before that happened.

After the crash, he decided that he'd continue flying the CH-46. He somehow made it through two or three (I can't remember) tours in Iraq without getting shot down. He said that there's no way to really describe what it's like to have incoming rounds hitting the aircraft and at the same time have the low fuel warning going off. There isn't enough fuel to take evasive action and you're a sitting duck if you hold your line to the LZ. He said that you just have to hope that they aren't real good shots and hope that you make it to the ground (safely) in one piece.

Luckily, he's still flying, but he's stationed back here now.
He still misses his friend though, but at least he keeps in touch with his friend's wife and daughter.

To his friend and all of the others who weren't so lucky:

R.I.P. :patriot: