Marines To Deploy V-22 To Iraq

Published: Apr 16, 2007
Source: Aviation Week



The U.S. Marine Corps announced April 13 that the first MV-22 Osprey deployment would be to Iraq for seven months starting September, where the aircraft's main role will be carrying troops into combat.

The first operational squadron for the Bell-Boeing tiltrotor will be the Marine Medium Tiltrotor 263 of Marine Aircraft Group 26. Although the Ospreys mainly will carry troops, according to Lt. Gen. John Castellaw, deputy commandant for aviation, the aircraft also can be used to carry other cargo such as injured personnel.

The tiltrotor technology, which allows the aircraft to fly both as a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, will make it possible to get the Marines close to the battle zone quickly and more safely, Castellaw said during an April 13 press briefing at the Pentagon.

» See also: Osprey Aircraft to Make Combat Debut in Iraq [Pentagon.mil]continue..