USS BATAAN/MV-22 AVIATION MILESTONE
So the MV-22 has run through some rough patches in its long development and fielding and now that it is on its first operational deployment, a little good news has come across the (email) wires and is worth sharing:
On NOV 6, BATAAN made history on their deployment. In addition to the maiden deployment of MV-22s, BATAAN successfully launched all ten Ospreys for combat operations into Afghanistan. This accomplishment is the culmination of teamwork forged over a year of deployment and work-ups as well as required daily, dedicated effort to keep these aircraft ready for tasking. N41’s LtCol Tim Abe and team collaborated and coordinated with CNAL and BATAAN’s Supply Dept. to synchronize Marine Logistics ashore, allowing the extension of Marine land based capabilities. (h/t: maiznblue_swo)
Which doesn’t have much to do with continuous USMC flat deck boat ops of which we were promised. Where is the MV-22 performance showing a Marine flat-top amphib in continuous launch and recover ops while the ship is underway? So far the MV-22 has not proven boat ops that are common of a helicopter. Interesting to note as the Osprey was always hyped to be better-than this or that of a helicopter.
I’m curious – how is this their first deployment when they’ve been to Iraq a couple of times now?