Comments on Desert Flier: Anbar, meet the Ospreys

Aside from defending itself, it will be hard to us...

2007-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Aside from defending itself, it will be hard to use for ground support. Prediction: some will be modified with gun doors to either side.

I have a son in one of the Osprey units based in N...

2007-10-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

I have a son in one of the Osprey units based in New River. I am following this closely. On the subject of the Osprey not being able to defend itself, it was my understanding that no troop transport aircraft has forward mounted guns.

not being able to defend itself flying into or out...

2007-10-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

not being able to defend itself flying into or out of a hot lz sounds remarkably stupid. I guess it could always fly in backwards because it does have a small gun facing out the back. also unlike the older birds this one will surely crash if its engines fail. what were people thinking? amazing that the marines have done this. am i missing something?

Great to hear from you, Major. Thanks for keeping...

2007-09-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Great to hear from you, Major. Thanks for keeping me honest, and good luck on the blogging!

LT,VMM-263 is still in New River, but will be emba...

2007-09-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

LT,
VMM-263 is still in New River, but will be embarking aboard the Wasp very soon. Look forward to seeing you aboard an Osprey. By the way, your blog motivated me to start my own. Wish me luck.

Maj Gilbert

The Wasp/LHD class is the newest helicopter assaul...

2007-09-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

The Wasp/LHD class is the newest helicopter assault carriers we have, with the first commissioned in 1992 (USS Wasp). Ship length is 844 feet, with a crew compliment of around 750.
They can house and transport 1800 Marines as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissanc...

2007-09-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 09/10/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.

I can only imagine how huge the helicopter assault...

2007-09-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

I can only imagine how huge the helicopter assault carriers must be

They're only marginally smaller than the Nimitz class CVNs (1092 ft deck vs 820 ft deck), but only about 50% of the displacement. Oh, and the LHA's carry about 3000 Marines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarawa_class_amphibious_assault_ship

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimitz_Class

I am at once excited, but with reservations, about the deployment of the Osprey into Iraq. It could be good, it could be bad. Most likely, it'll get off to a rocky start and then as experience is gained, things will improve.

I'm a bit of a dumb blonde, but I found the info o...

2007-09-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit of a dumb blonde, but I found the info on the Osprey pretty fascinating. I hope it all works well.

If that is a picture of the MV-22 I can only imagi...

2007-09-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

If that is a picture of the MV-22 I can only imagine how huge the helicopter assault carriers must be
Jen