Another Step In Qualification Effort

For the first time, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducted landing operations with the MV-22 Osprey during the past week.

The landing operations, which took place Dec. 7-13, was an effort to qualify 23 Marine Corps pilots from Marine Tilt Rotor Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22 on day deck landings, as well as to provide a "foundation" of experience for future operations.

"These operational landings are not only giving us a foundation for operations in the fleet, they're also giving us time to find things that we don't like about the Osprey and what we want done differently," said Marine Corps Maj. Robert Freeland, an Osprey pilot and the assistant operations officer for VMX-22, located at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, NC.

To complete their qualifications in accordance with the Marine Corps Training and Readiness Manual for air crew, the pilots performed a minimum of five landings on the ship's port side of the flight deck; two spots on the forward end of the flight deck (spots two and four); and two on the aft section (spots seven and nine). In addition to their qualification, the pilots performed a minimum of two short takeoffs.

Of all the landing spots on the flight deck, spot seven is considered the most challenging of the four spots because of its location near the ship's island, which narrows the landing space for the aircraft. However, with the skill of the pilots and the ship's flight deck crew, the operation encountered no problems.

"Before the operation began, the flight deck crew was a little skeptical about the safety of the operation, because of all the news reports of incidents and accidents that occurred with the Osprey four years ago," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) (AW) Robert Sacks, Safety Department leading chief petty officer on board Kearsarge. "However, I think the operation went well, and I feel everyone else agrees."

The Osprey was introduced to the Marine Corps in September 1999 to replace the CH-46E and CH-53D medium lift helicopters, but was put on hold during its testing phase after a mishap in 2000 killed 23 Marines. Since that time, Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing have redesigned the aircraft, making it both lighter and safer.

The Osprey can now carry up to 24 combat-equipped personnel or a 15,000-pound load. It can vertically take off like a helicopter, then rotate its engines 90 degrees, turning into a turbo-prop aircraft that can travel at speeds over 240 knots.

FMI: www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd3