Marines Putting the Osprey into Service After Decades of Controversy

After over thirty years of development and controversy, the Osprey will be put into service this fall in Iraq. "Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway announced at the Pentagon this morning that the MV-22 Osprey aircraft will make its combat debut in Iraq this September, when Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, with 10 Ospreys and 171 personnel, deploys to Al Asad Air Base." (Kruzel) The hybrid helicopter-plan was commissioned (non-combat) four times in the past, only to quickly be decommissioned due to mechanical issues.

However, the Marine Corps are confident in the capabilities of the aircraft. "Built by Boeing Co. and Bell, a unit of Textron Inc., the planes' deployment marks a significant reversal for an aircraft program that was nearly scrapped after two deadly test crashes and a history of mechanical failures." (MSNBC) In the years since the deadliest test crash of the Osprey, a new safety feature designed to warn pilots when they are descending too rapidly in the helicopter mode have been installed. This crash, which resulted in the death of 23 marines, was caused by a malfunction of the MV-22 tilt rotor when the pilot descended too quickly in the helicopter mood.

According to the Pentagon press release, pre-deployment training with the Osprey will take place in the desert near Yuma, Arizona. Before the Osprey is deployed to Iraq, a three-part, 18-month training program will be required of pilots. Despite the troubled history of the aircraft, the Marine Corps have no reservations about the current deployment. As part of the Pentagon press release, news correspondents had the opportunity to fly on the Osprey. Several correspondents were said to have been impressed with the power of the helicopter-plane, and a few even became air sick. The Osprey is designed to replace the aging Sea Knight, which has been in service since the Vietnam War. While the Marine Corps have high hopes for the Osprey in the Iraq War, critics are carefully eyeing the program after earlier attempts to implement the Osprey ended in the death of several Marines. At this time, there is no plan in place to deal with the possibility that the Osprey will face similar issues during this deployment.

While the Marine Corps and the Pentagon have gone out of their way to answer the questions of the press, and demonstrate that the Osprey is ready to be put into service, there is no word of what is being done to sell the Osprey to Marine Corps pilots and service crews who will be serving on the Osprey. Specific details of the 16-month training period have not been forthcoming. There is also no reaction yet from the attack helicopter personnel that the Osprey will assist in combat.

Sources:

Kruzel, John. "Osprey Aircraft to Make Combat Debut in Iraq." American Armed Forces Press Release.
http://www.pentagon.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32802

MSNBC News Article. "Controversial Osprey aircraft heading to Iraq."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18098457/