Special Ops Squadron Gets A New Ride!

Hurlburt Field's 8th Special Operations Squadron took delivery of its first Bell-Boeing CV-22 at Hurlburt, FL Thursday.

The CV-22 is the USAF version of the V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the speed and range of fixed wing aircraft with the vertical flight performance of a helicopter. At a cost of $89 million a copy, it can carry 32 troops or up to 10,000 pounds of cargo. It has a range of 2,100 NM while cruising 230 knots.

Military planners say the CV-22 will give special operations unique capabilities allowing a global response with rapid mobility. The craft's mission includes infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of forces in hostile territory.

"The self-deploying capability of the CV-22 enables us to respond to any mission immediately," said Lieutenant Colonel Eric Hill, 8th SOS director of operations. "We can just up and fly as-is with no tear down or transport necessary."

Special operations helicopters are traditionally stowed aboard a transport aircraft for deployment to overseas destinations. The packing and unpacking process adds complexity and time to the deployment process. The CV-22's speed, range and vertical takeoff and land (VTOL) capability means it can fly itself to any location in the world.

"Our enemies better watch out," said Lieutenant General Mike Wooley, commander of the Air Force Special Operation Command. "This is truly a transitional event for our great Air Force and for our Special Operations Command."

The aircraft is so new military tactician still haven't worked out the best ways to use it.

Assistant director of operations for the 8th SOS Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Sheets said, "We're going to get out with teams and see how they want to use it and how it can help them complete their missions. We haven't begun to explore the possibilities that are out there. Aside from our primary mission, we can handle personnel recovery, resupply and psychological operations too."

Boeing and its partner Bell Helicopter have the contract providing support services for the first aircraft. The team will support five at Hurlburt Field, and four at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM.

The USAF plans to assign 50 CV-22 aircraft to Hurlburt by 2017.

FMI: www.af.mil, www.boeing.com