Tilting Towards Deployment?

Tilting Towards Deployment?: The

Air Force’s CV-22 appears to have performed quite well in its operational tests, opening the door for deployment of the tiltrotor aircraft before its formal combat-ready declaration next year. Reuters reported April 29, citing unnamed sources, that Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, told industry and military officials at a dinner April 28 that he was pleased with the performance of the CV-22 during its initial operational testing. The general said he wouldn’t hesitate to use the aircraft in combat now if they are needed, according to the wire service report. We’ve reported before that the Air Force has been mulling sending the CV-22 to theater in the fall. Further, when the Air Force Ospreys do go, they reportedly will carry a forward firing gun that the platform currently lacks. The Marines have been flying their version of the Osprey, the MV-22, in Iraq since October 2007. As of mid March, AFSOC had nine CV-22s in its possession, including four primary mission aircraft, one test asset, and four being used for training pilots. The Air Force plans to buy 50 CV-22s, which are built by a team of Bell and Boeing. The industry duo won a $10.4 billion multiyear contract in March to build 167 Ospreys, including 26 CV-22s, over the next five years. The CV-22s will replace USAF’s MH-53 helicopters, all of which will be retired by October.

5/1/2008

Verbatim

Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

Verbatim

Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.