CV-22 to Deploy for African Exercises
Aviation Week's DTI | Amy Butler | September 17, 2008
This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – The U.S. Air Force is deploying its first CV-22 Osprey aircraft to Africa next month, according to Air Force Special Operations Command officials.
The aircraft will participate in Flintlock 09, an exercise in the trans-Saharan region of the continent intended to help African nations patrol their own territory, according to a command statement. With poor road systems and vast distances to travel on the continent, the Bell-Boeing CV-22 is seen as well suited to provide the speed and reach needed for such missions.
These missions will employ the CV-22's unique defenses and terrain-following radar, and will differ starkly from those of the Marine Corps, which is operating the MV-22 in western Iraq.
Air Force Special Operations Command currently has nine CV-22s in its young fleet, including five here at Hurlburt (with a sixth expected soon) and four at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. for training, says Brig. Gen. Bradley Heithold, the command's director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments.
The CV-22 recently completed the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) period, and a final report is being written. However, command officials wanted to press the aircraft into service as soon as possible to support activities abroad. Meanwhile, the last MH-53 Pave Low helicopter, the CV-22's predecessor, is retiring this month. CV-22 initial operational capability is expected next year.
The aircraft will also deploy with the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC) defensive system.
Accelerating the CV-22 buy is a top priority for Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, who oversees the command. The service plans to buy 50 of the aircraft, but the requirement could increase to support the additional manpower being added to the Army and Navy special operations units.
