Photo By Christopher Szumlanksi | PACIFIC OCEAN (July 23, 2022) Routine maintenance is conducted on U.S. Marine Corps...... read more read more
Subscribe
Canberra’s Lucky Red Lions strengthen Australian, U.S. capability
PACIFIC OCEAN – United States Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) embarked in Royal Australian Navy Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra (L02) conducted pre and post flight maintenance on their MV-22B Osprey Aircraft during Rim of the Pacific 2022. Two MV-22B from VMM-363 are operating from HMAS Canberra for the duration of RIMPAC 2022.
When two MV-22B Osprey Aircraft and their pilots embarked in HMAS Canberra for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, they brought with them the Lucky Red Lions.
Twenty-five members from the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 “Lucky Red Lions” (VMM-363) have spent three weeks onboard living and working with fellow Aussies in Australia’s Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Canberra for the sea phase of the exercise.
The teams are testing capabilities, from launch and recovery of the aircraft through to maintenance and stowage in LHD’s hangar.
United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Jason Bradtmueller is one of the crew embarked and has a dual role as a crew chief and mechanic onboard.
“Essentially my team are testing the facilities in Canberra to make sure that for any future opportunities to embark our aircraft and crew we can continue to conduct maintenance in a safe and successful manner,” Bradtmueller said.
Canberra have achieved some significant firsts with the MV-22B during RIMPAC, the embarkation of the aircraft and crew being one and more notably for Bradtmueller the transfer of the aircraft into the hangar was significant for him.
“The move from the flight deck to the hangar in a foreign ship was a first for me, we needed to make sure we positioned the aircraft safely on the aft lift and then once inside we could manoeuvrer around safely,” he said. “All maintenance we have conducted so far has been a success and a good outcome for Canberra and our team.
“Being onboard we have achieved our required pre and post flight checks and also some heavier maintenance, it’s been good to appreciate what we can achieve here onboard.
The embarkation of coalition partners in Canberra has been mutually beneficial to both crews, understanding how the teams can work interchangeably and what is needed for future embarkations.
For Bradtmueller, it has been an absolute dream to be onboard ‘the Canberra’ and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The food is great, I think the Aussie living quarters are better and you know what, everyone I have met has just been really happy and has a smile,” he said. “The Aussie team have been so helpful and willing to assist us with everything, there is a real team focus onboard and integrating was easy, it’s just been incredible.”
The Lucky Red Lions will continue to operate in Canberra for the remainder of RIMPAC, working towards stronger interchangeability between Australia and the United States for future embarkations of the MV-22B Aircraft.
Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
(Story by Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Nancy Cotton)
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2022 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 426195 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Canberra’s Lucky Red Lions strengthen Australian, U.S. capability, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
