Ospreys in the field

[Figure8]

I see the latest assault on the Taliban involves the use of Osprey aircraft. Is this their first use in Afghanistan?

[RichC]

Yes
Ten MV-22's were shipped out via USS Bataan a few weeks ago to support the USMC.

The CV-22's have been operating in Iraq, however, for some time.

The CV-22s transit through Lajes with HC/MC-130 support whereas the USMC variants get shipped around by sea.

[KINROTATE]

I read somewhere (USMC press release) that they operate out of Bastion. Deployed by one Sqn and operated by another one.

[RichC]

I think it was part of the USMC reinforcements to get the job done in Helmand. As they know, the RAF have no support assets out there to really get it done and so they shoved what was it? 40,000 troops to help us out with "many" support helicopters. I think in one formation alone the USMC/US Army had twice as many helicopters than what we have combined in theatre.

[TonyO]

Yes
Ten MV-22's were shipped out via USS Bataan a few weeks ago to support the USMC.

The CV-22's have been operating in Iraq, however, for some time.

The CV-22s transit through Lajes with HC/MC-130 support whereas the USMC variants get shipped around by sea.

No CV-22s have gone to Iraq, two brief deployments to Africa only...

[RichC]

Thanks for the correction, i see they were MV-22s in Iraq going by the articles.
352nd SOG supported the African deployments, i take it Camp Lemona?

[TonyO]

Thanks for the correction, i see they were MV-22s in Iraq going by the articles.
352nd SOG supported the African deployments, i take it Camp Lemona?

Don't think so, one was definately to Mali, not sure on the other...