11/07/2012: Refueling Ospreys at Sea
[slidepress gallery=’refueling-ospreys-at-sea’]
Credit: 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit:9/23/12
- In the first photo, a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24h Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies over Djibouti City after conducting aerial refueling training Sep. 23, 2012.The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU’s KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. The 24th MEU was deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
- In the second and third photos, an MV-22B Osprey connects to the refueling hose of a KC-130J Hercules, during aerial refueling training Sept. 23, 2012. The Ospreys and KC-130J belong to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and conducted aerial refueling training to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations.
- In the fourth photo, an MV-22B Osprey and AV-8B Harriers, both with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23, 2012.
- In the final photo, an MV-22B Osprey, front, and AV-8B Harriers, both with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23, 2012.
An interesting possibility going forward would be to make an Osprey a refueler.
The impact on operations for the USN-USMC team would be significant.