Official U.S. Navy file photo of V- 22 Ospreys.
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Wasp Finishes Osprey Exercise, Heads Home
Story Number: NNS041202-09
Release Date: 12/2/2004 3:22:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Derrick Inglé, USS Wasp Public Affairs
ABOARD USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) completed a 10-day exercise testing the V-22A Osprey off the Mid-Atlantic coast, Nov. 12-23.
The multipurpose amphibious assault ship spent nearly two weeks at sea helping more than 100 flight engineers, contractors, government employees and Marine Corps pilots collect data and aviation information about the military’s future transport aircraft.
“We came out here to perform a series of tests, like how the Osprey interacts with other aircraft in the air and on the flight deck," explained Troy Kindall, a flight test engineer at Naval Air Station Pataxent River, Md. "We tested its short takeoff capabilities with 50,000 pounds of cargo."
"We had problems with the Osprey in the past on board USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)," Kindall continued. "Whenever another V-22 would come in for a landing, the Osprey parked on the flight deck would suddenly shift from left to right. It was pretty dangerous. We came out to further monitor the aircraft-to-aircraft interaction. This time we didn’t see any movement that resembled what we saw in the past.
"We’ve also done regular launching and landing tests with the crew on the flight deck, while getting a few of our pilots qualified to fly both during the day and at night," he added. "This was a first for us and Wasp. These were our most successful tests in six years.”
Osprey test pilot Marine Maj. Frank Conway was one of five pilots to qualify to fly at night using night vision goggles and night vision devices. The two-year V-22 pilot said he preferred the fleet’s new mode of transportation to its predecessor, the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, because of its jet speed, long-range capabilities and convenient pilot-friendly mechanisms.
“The difference between flying the V-22 and the CH-46 is like night and day,” said Conway of Lindenword, N.J. “The Osprey has top of the line equipment with a computer that pretty much does everything. The V-22 is an airplane that occasionally hovers for takeoffs and landings. You instantly go from hovering vertically off the deck to an airplane that can travel 200 knots in 10-12 seconds. The deceleration is even more impressive. It’s like having ‘Bugs Bunny’ air brakes and stopping in mid-air. The Osprey will better serve the mission of the troops and the Navy/Marine Corps team."
Other pilots and testers agreed. With the Osprey’s ability to go as fast as 272 knots while carrying up to 60,000 pounds, the military’s new hawk may be the best bird for the job.
“When this aircraft hits the fleet, Sailors and Marines better watch out, because it’s going to take us places we’ve never dreamed of,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Craig Maynard, a developmental tester from Marine Unit 22. “I come from a 46 background, yet the V-22 is better for our missions. It carries two times more than its predecessor, it travels three times the distance and the navigation system is better for our pilots.
"We came on board not just to do exercises, but to also get members of the ship’s air department familiar with what they’ll be working with in the future," he added. "I was impressed with how well the Sailors on the flight deck adjusted to the Osprey.”
For Sailors on the flight deck, nothing was taken for granted during the test period. They spent a lot of time studying the Osprey and preparing for its arrival.
“It’s a combination of what we usually work with under way. It lands like a CH-46 and jets off like an AV-8B Harrier, so the adjustment was fairly easy,” said Enlisted Launch Officer Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW) Devon Caldeira, of New York City. “We went to numerous safety briefs and watched several videos prior to the Ospreys’ arrival. We were instructed to take extreme caution, even though it’s actually a lot safer than other helicopters. Launching and landing the V-22s these past 10 days was new and exciting. It was a great experience.”
Even Sailors who don’t launch and recover thought working with the 60,500-pound transformer aircraft was a unique experience.
“Moving and chaining aircraft was always exciting for me, especially when I get to work with something new like the V-22,” said Airman Gustavo Reyes, a native of New York City. “It transforms in mid-air, and it can transport more cargo and Marines. I’m looking forward to working with these birds in years to come.”
For related news, visit the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Navy NewsStand page at
www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd1.
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