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    VMM-365 conducts training in Belize

    VMM-365 conducts training in Belize

    Photo By Staff Sgt. John Suleski | After the flight home, Sgt. Kyle W. Harrison, a Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365...... read more read more

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

    09.19.2011

    Story by Lance Cpl. John Suleski 

    Marine Corps Installations East       

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. – A detachment of four MV-22B Ospreys with pilots and crew chiefs from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 returned to Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., from a 13-day training event in Belize, Sept. 19.

    The rest of the 78-Marine detachment returned to the U.S., Sept. 17, with two KC-130J Super Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

    The six-hour flight from the U.S. to the Central American country proved the Osprey could handle a long-range aerial refueling over water, said Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy R. Owens, VMM-365 logistics chief.

    While the procedure was the same as over dry land, it was more dangerous because there was no place to land if an emergency occurred.

    “The Blue Knight’s deployment for training to Belize, Central America, showcased a tremendous Marine Corps capability,” said Lt. Col. Brett Hart, executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26. “They launched a flight of V-22s from Eastern North Carolina and deployed long distance over water utilizing aerial refueling. Within six hours of departure, they were on the deck in Belize ready to operate.”

    The most unique aspect of this was that no runway was required to complete this mission, he said.

    The capability is important because if the wing commanding general decides to bring more aircraft to the fight, the squadron can fly them out without stowing them aboard a ship, said Sgt. Kyle W. Harrison, a VMM-365 MV-22B crew chief. The exercise also showed the capability of the Osprey to deploy without any support outside of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, said Owens.

    Other 2nd MAW units that participated in the exercise were MCAS Cherry Point’s VMGR-252 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 271.

    The aerial refueling was smooth and successful, said Cpl. Steven J. Syra, a VMM-365 Osprey crew chief. The pilots flying with him latched on to the refueling drogue in a single attempt.

    Syra said the best part about Belize was low-altitude training. The geography included many mountains, waterfalls and jungle that made the flights interesting and challenging to navigate.

    He said during the training he was able to see many of Belize’s landmarks, including Mayan ruins and a large underwater sinkhole known as a blue hole.

    Harrison also said LAT was the best part because he flew over natural geography in the area instead of developed land like back home.

    The Blue Knights also performed many night flights utilizing night-vision goggles.

    Harrison said the training expanded his skills as a crew chief. Crew chiefs play a large role on an Osprey, he said.

    They perform maintenance before, during and after flights, and make sure everything works during a flight.

    Harrison said the pilots are in charge of the front of the aircraft and the crew chiefs are in charge of the rear. Both Harrison and Syra said they felt good about the training.

    “I definitely feel it was a success,” said Owens. “We went down there and ran every mission we were willing to run, and we learned a lot by working in a different country.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.19.2011
    Date Posted: 10.04.2011 11:23
    Story ID: 77986
    Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US

    Web Views: 121
    Downloads: 0

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