DUBAI, United Arab Emirates –An aerial powerhouse sits amongst the Department of Defense aircraft supporting the 2013 Dubai Airshow at the Dubai World Central airport here Nov. 17-21.
Members of the U.S. Marine Corps, attached to the VMM-166, 13th Marine Expeditionary Wing deployed from Marine Air Station Miramar, Calif., flew four MV-22 Ospreys from their forward deployed location to support the DAS, one of the largest airshows in the world.
The MV-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability, like a helicopter, converting into a turboprop aircraft once airborne.
According to Capt. Mike Murray, the DAS provides a unique opportunity to expose industry leaders and military decision makers from across the world to "tilt rotor technology."
In addition to the Ospreys, the Marines also brought with them an AH-1Z Cobra and a UH-1Y Huey.
This is the group’s first time supporting the Dubai Airshow, the MV-22 pilot originally from Seguin, Texas, said, and they are really enjoying it.
“It’s a great break for us, off of the ship,” Murray said. “We’re still working long days supporting the show, but also getting to take in the local culture.”
The Marines are the lead service in the development of the Osprey, which is used as an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and capable of operating from ships or expeditionary airfields.
“We flew more than 1300 nautical miles non-stop with air-refueling support, setting a lot of new records and pushing [the Osprey] toward its full operational capability,” Murray said.
But without the maintainers working hard to keep the aircraft up and operational, it wouldn’t have been possible, he added.
The crew chiefs and mechanics Marines here are responsible for performing pre and post-flight inspections, scheduled maintenance and daily inspections, explained Sgt. Joseph Lucero, a MV-22 crew chief and Albuquerque, N.M., native.
“As long as we stick to the cards and follow our regular maintenance procedures, we’ll keep our aircraft in top working order,” he said.
DOD officials stated the Dubai Airshow highlights DOD aviation technology as well as the men and women who serve.
Murray said they are looking forward to showcasing tilt-rotor technology during the airshow.