Posted on 03/22/2008 7:45:32 AM PDT by SandRat
Third Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) does its own part in the transition process by participating in training operations involving Military in Transition (MiT) team Marines and members of the Iraqi Army (IA).
The most recent exercise, involving the Marine Corps’ tilt rotor MV-22 Osprey, was designed to familiarize the Iraqi Soldiers with the capabilities of an aviation element.
Several MV-22s, belonging to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263, inserted Marines from MiT team 0720 and members of the 27th Infantry Brigade, 7th Iraqi Infantry Division, to a remote location, where the Soldiers were tested on the many skills they’ve been taught.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to be part of this IA training mission,” said Capt. Jonathan H. Brandt, a pilot with VMM-263. “Training the Iraqi Soldiers is something taking place all over the country. This exercise was the most direct opportunity I’ve had to support that mission in Iraq.”
The Coalition’s directive to train the ISF directly impacts both the ground and aviation combat elements.
“Using the assets the wing provides is very vital because it enables us to get the Iraqi Army on objectives in areas that vehicles would possibly not be able to go,” said Gunnery Sgt. Evan A. Good, the operations and training chief for MiT team 0720. “Any helo-insert enables more of a surprise effect on the enemy.”
Heli-borne operation training will greatly help the IA’s ability to conduct these types of missions once Coalition forces reduce, explained Good, a state college, Pa., native.
After successfully completing their first heli-borne insert, the Soldiers pursued their objective by searching the buildings in the area and gathering intelligence on possible enemy activity from the locals.
In support of the ground forces, UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Super Cobras, belonging to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, actively circled overhead, providing perimeter and aerial security throughout the duration of the exercise.
“The aviation combat element exists to support the ground element whether indirectly through routine movement of passengers and cargo around the AO (area of operations) or directly through inserts and extracts such as in this training exercise,” said Brandt, a Lenexa, Kan., native who was one of the MV-22 pilots responsible for inserting the ground units. “If the ground combat elements’ scheme of maneuver makes sense to use aviation assets, our pilots and aircrew are always more than willing to support their mission.”
“The goal is to train Iraqi Army and police forces to slowly replace the need for our numbers of ground forces, but until they have their own aircraft, the need for air assets to provide support remains,” said Brandt. “We realize that as long as there is a mission to fulfill, we will accept our assignments and continue to support the remaining Coalition forces and the increasing number of Iraqi forces as well.”
.....in areas that vehicles would possibly not be able to go.....
For instance the road to Damascus, the other end of which is being assaulted by the IDF
The Ospreys are now deployed and yet we do not see ANY pictures of them in action. NOT EVEN FNC.
Iraq has gone off the DBM radar once we started winning.
Victory is not news to the pinkos of the MSM.
I haven't heard of this but it is early in the day. Do you have a link?
Regards
Thank you SandRat for this post. It reminds me of the hard work and sacrifices men like you and Captain Brandt have made.
No, merely speculation. One day Syria will be taken care of. The more in the fight the merrrier.
You must not watch often enough.
Sorry I forgot to ping you last week. It was decided last week (arbitrarily) that ANY good news from Iraq is Allegra's "fault". Please ping and credit her with all good news form Iraq.
Mad
Allegra, is that true? it's all your doings?
LOL - this is one time I don't mind taking the blame at all. Keep it coming! :-)
thanks but that was just a puff piece, there were no incidental views from a story about success in Iraq.
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