‘Thunder Chickens’ support ground troops

Photo By Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn | Sgt. Jon Trottman, an aerial observer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 notes the terrain below him to make sure there are no obstructions prior to landing at a landing zone aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 15, 2015. After landing, the MV-22B Osprey picked up Marines with 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, practicing insertion and extractions into landing zones. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Miranda Faughn/Released)  

NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

09.15.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Thanks to its speed, maneuverability, and numerous capabilities, the MV-22B Osprey is in high demand among commanders worldwide for extracting and inserting Marines in a wide range of extreme conditions.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 supported 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company as they conducted embarking and disembarking exercises aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 15, 2015.

VMM-263, known as the 'Thunder Chickens', support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and their equipment – they were able to sharpen these skills during the exercise with ANGLICO.

Sgt. Jon Trottman, an aerial observer with VMM-263, says this type of training gets them comfortable with going into a landing zone and moving the Marines, surveying the terrain, and being sure there are no terrain obstructions.

Ready and capable aviation is vital to all aspects of Marine Corps operations. Training like this is imperative as the Marines perform as many repetitions as possible to achieve the proficiency required to execute the mission expeditiously.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2015
• Date Posted: 09.18.2015 13:40
• Story ID: 176541
• Location: NEW RIVER, NC, US