ENC Marines Use Osprey In Haiti In Ground-Breaking Mission
Marines from Eastern Carolina are using MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to help in Haiti, the first time the Osprey is being used in a humanitarian air or disaster relief mission. The 24th MEU is also helping with medical evacuations on helicopters.
Posted:
11:02 AM Jan 24, 2010
Marines Eastern Carolina are using MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to help in Haiti, the first time the Osprey is being used in a humanitarian aid or disaster relief mission.
The Ospreys are from to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune and New River in Jacksonville and took off from the USS Nassau Sunday morning.
(Click the photo tab to see the Osprey as well as the 24th MEU helping medevac Haitian victims.)
The aircraft, which can take off like a plane or a helicopter, are conducting aerial surveys of population centers and roadways in northern Haiti.
According to officials, the intent of the Osprey mission is to help gain awareness of the current situation on the ground in some of the outlying towns and areas that have not had a U.S. military presence.
The 24th MEU is also helping with medical evacuations on helicopters.
Two MV-22 Ospreys tilt-rotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launched from USS Nassau to conduct an aerial reconnaissance of population centers and infrastructures in northern Haiti Jan. 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda)
This is the first time the Ospreys are used in a humanitarian aid or disaster relief missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda)
Video Clip:
MADISON: Osprey launched to Haiti