USS WASP, At Sea — The mere sight of an Osprey can be intimidating. They stand 22 feet high, kick up massive winds and have 45-foot wings.
But for the Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, who are involved in the largest Navy/Marine Corps amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, being intimidated is not an option. They have a mission to complete.
Currently eight Ospreys from VMM-266 are aboard USS Wasp assisting in a variety of missions, from support for amphibious assault, to transportation of personnel and equipment from ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.
Although VMM-266 recently returned from a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the consensus from their Marines is that more training can always be beneficial. After the units deployment, some senior Marines moved and the empty slots were filled with junior Marines.
“My perspective is that this training prepares you for deployment. Getting your junior guys out and working allows them to get more experience. This gives us an opportunity to get efficient in amphibious assault support – which is our mission,” explained Maj. John M. Ennis, the executive officer of VMM – 266. “This is also a learning experience for our maintenance Marines who have never deployed before to learn a ship environment and how to live on a ship.”
During Bold Alligator operations have been constant, and safely finely tuned engines have been paramount to keeping the Ospreys in the air.
“Maintenance has knocked it out of the park,” said Capt. Pascal J. Gonzalez, the operations officer for VMM – 266. “All of what we have been able to accomplish, especially in spite of a lack of supplies, has been thanks to our mechanics. Phenomenal job, without our mechanics we couldn’t accomplish the mission.”
For the duration of the exercise, 12-hour work shifts are an everyday practice. Their tarred, oiled hands are the evidence. In between flights, Marines like Sgt. Steven J. Hunter, check key components like the engine and transmission.
“Our job is very important, we need to be looking for bad parts and make sure everything is torque and installed properly. That way the plane can be safe for flight,” said Hunter, an Osprey flight line mechanic. “I’m happy once all the birds are safe for flight.”
Hunter said recently his unit received approximately 10 junior Marines.
“Some experienced people have and we’ve had to train our younger guys. They have to learn quickly so we can go out again (deployment). For the junior Marines it’s their first experience on the ship and it’s a lot harder to work on the birds when they are folded. Plus we have planes coming and going so you have to be aware of the situation at all times.”
Hunter, a Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native, explained that “folding” is when the Ospreys are adjusted to fit the small space on ship.
“It’s not something we practice all the time. But on ship they have to be, there’s not enough space on ship for them to all be unfolded,” said Hunter.
Although the hours are long during the exercise, Hunter believes it’s the hardships that bring Marines together.
“The 12-hour on, 12-off work shifts and tight quarters get you closer and help you trust people more. It’s not like being at the base; you can’t just come home. You have to stay here and it brings everyone closer. That’s the best thing (about the exercise),” said Hunter.
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