02.17.2016 -- UTAPAO, Thailand – Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 land a MV-22B Osprey on the USS Ashland (LSD 48), during Cobra Gold 16 at Utapao, Thailand, February 16, 2016.
The MV-22B Osprey is a joint service multi-role combat aircraft capable of moving troops or cargo.
“With its rotors in the vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter,” said 1st Lt. Alex Roberts, an operations officer with VMM-262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Unit. “When airborne, it can reach high-speeds and high-altitudes like fixed-wing aircraft.”
The MV-22B Osprey can reach a max speed of approximately 443 kilometers per hour, which allows the Osprey to respond quickly to distant threats or disasters.
“We have ships in the ocean all the time,” said Roberts. “With the Osprey we are able to get to them quickly, land on their flight deck and give them the support and cargo needed to complete their mission.”
The MV-22B Osprey has been a key asset to missions in the past, it would take a lot more time and man power to send as many troops or supplies during a disaster, said Roberts.
“Training with the Navy ships is important because when a disaster happens in the world the Osprey can touch down on the ship, pick up all the troops and supplies it can, and immediately head over to help aid the situation,” said Roberts. “Time isn’t always on our side and it is nice to know we have an aircraft that can do so much so quickly.”