By Robbin Laird
In an interview I did in Norfolk last year with Commander Mason Fox and his team. Fox is the Commander of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 40, the “Mighty Bison.”
In that interview he underscored a key point which is rarely noted in discussions about the way ahead for the capabilities of the “fight tonight” force.
“Our version of the Osprey has a little bit more gas that we can carry, and we have a primary mission that is different than the Marine Corps and Air Force Ospreys. But I think that if we’re looking at a joint fight, we’re looking at the 450 plus Ospreys that are part of the program record. They will all be contributing to distributed maritime ops, because that’s the fight we are in.”
The “fight tonight” philosophy represents military readiness doctrine emphasizing immediate operational capability. This concept prioritizes having forces that can deploy and engage effectively without extensive preparation time, which is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving threat environment where conflicts can escalate quickly.
Fox’s emphasis on distributed maritime ops reflects a fundamental shift in naval strategy. Rather than concentrating forces in large, potentially vulnerable formations, this approach spreads capabilities across multiple smaller platforms operating semi-independently. The Osprey’s unique capabilities make it ideal for this concept because it can:
- Connect widely dispersed naval assets.
- Rapidly reposition personnel and supplies.
- Operate from smaller platforms that can’t accommodate traditional aircraft.
- Provide flexible logistics support across vast ocean areas.
The reference to “450 plus Ospreys” in the program record underscores how modern military thinking prioritizes joint capabilities over service-specific solutions. This suggests that in future conflicts, the distinction between Marine, Navy, and Air Force Ospreys may be less important than their collective contribution to overall mission success.
This integrated approach represents a significant evolution from historical military planning, where services often developed parallel capabilities independently.
An article by Douglas Thumm published on May 19, 2025, provided an important insight into the thinking of a “fight tonight” force. While the Pengaton was conducting program reviews of the Osprey, the Marines were getting on with it.
Douglas Thumm is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lt. colonel. He flew nearly 1,600 hours in the MV-22 Osprey and continues instructing new Air Force and Marine Corps Osprey pilots in the MV-22 simulators at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.
In his article he discussed how the U.S. Marine Corps is maintaining strong commitment to the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft despite two upcoming government reviews that may generate criticism. The reviews — one by the Navy (a “comprehensive review”) and another by the Government Accountability Office — were initiated following a tragic November 2023 crash of an Air Force CV-22 Osprey off Japan that killed eight airmen.
The Marine Corps leadership, particularly Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, has emphasized that the Osprey remains central to their aviation strategy, calling it “the core of the aviation combat element” and comparing its importance to the Navy’s Super Hornet. The service’s new aviation plan reaffirms the MV-22B Osprey as the “backbone of Marine Corps combat assault transport capability.”
Key developments include:
- Addressing the gearbox material failure issues through a new “triple-melt” forging process
- Planning extensive modernization upgrades including digital interoperability, survivability equipment, and sensor packages
- Committing to keep the Osprey in service until at least 2055
- Developing a comprehensive mid-life upgrade program
The author argues that while the upcoming reviews may generate negative headlines, the real story is the military’s continued investment in improving an aircraft that provides unique capabilities essential for operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The article advocates for continued support from the Pentagon and Congress for the Osprey program’s modernization efforts.
I am publishing my next book I have written on the USMC which focuses on 2nd Marine Air Wing. The title of the book is “2nd Marine Air Wing: Transitioning the Fight Tonight Force.” And that is really the point and being able to deploy successfully for the Marines their ability to engage a broader tiltorotor enterprise as a key element of their operating eco-system.
They are not “cubical commandos.” They are ready to deploy warfighters. That does create a difference in attitude about the importance of leveraging and expanding the capabilities which they have right now and can be enhanced in the near to mid-term.
Featured photo:
U.S. Marines Corps MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 242 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct pre-flight procedures during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the Coral Sea, June 26, 2025. The 31st MEU executed integrated operations to enhance lethality, readiness, and interoperability by conducting multiple mission sets simultaneously. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Devin Nichols).
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