Occasionally, a single part does get cannibalized from them but they are by no means being stripped for parts to keep the fleet flying, he said.
First off.....who can believe anything that spineless, corrupt, two faced lying weasel Murtha says?
Also....anyone with more than a few days in aviation know very well about "Hangar Queens" that slowly begin to look like the picked carcass of a dead critter if left in a U/S condition in the hangar for anytime at all.
I'll bet some Marines are looking under rugs for U/S bits to put back on some Osprey's as we speak....so the machines look in good condition.
I know....we played that game in the Army with Chinooks too!
For you folks that know not of Murtha (the only EX-MARINE I know of....)read up on Charlie Wilson, Abscam, the deal Tip O'Neill made with Wilson to protect Murtha,Haditha and the Marines acquitted of all charges despite Murtha proclaiming them guilty as sin (before the investigation even began) before giving that fat assed windbag any credence at all.