Photo By Sgt. James Gulliver | First Lt. Michael Holoman, an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165,...... read more read more
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SAN FRANCISCO - The thunderous sound of the M V-22 Osprey rotators could be heard from miles out across the San Francisco Bay, as their landing at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco marked the beginning of San Francisco Fleet Week 2014.
Piloting the versatile aircraft is 1st Lt. Michael Holoman, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165. Holoman is a native of the San Francisco area returning home with a warm welcome from his family, friends and the San Francisco community.
“This city has a great community, I love returning home because they are very supportive,” said Holoman. “This gives all my family and friends a chance to see what I do and (see what) all their support helped me accomplished.”
Holoman loves spending time in the city and is grateful that Marines with him can experience what the city has to offer.
“It’s a beautiful city, the culture is very vibrant, great food, great people, it has so much to offer anyone who visits,” said Holoman.
Holoman loves his job of flying the Osprey, one of the most unique aircraft in the Marine Corps’ arsenal. It has the capability to land in the same compact spaces that a helicopter is able to, but can also reach the top speed of a turboprop aircraft making it ideal for humanitarian and rescue missions.
“This aircraft is really useful for rescue missions and casualty evacuation,” he said. “Not only can we fly into almost any area and recover a casualty, but also the aircraft is stable enough for medics to perform treatment while we are in the air.”
The Marines showcased their ability to assist casualties during fleet week by flying in a shock-trauma platoon to treat a simulated casualty. Holoman flew one of the aircraft into the city delivering timely care to the casualty.
“The city of San Francisco is right along the San Andreas fault line, making it susceptible to earthquakes,” he said. “Hopefully we will never have to use this capability in situation out here, but if we do, it’s good to know that the mission can be accomplished and lives can be saved.”
Holoman has spent more than four years in the Marine Corps, but most of this time has been spent in training learning to fly the Osprey.
“This aircraft has so many capabilities that it takes a while for pilots to be ready to use it in the real world,” he said. “It’s a very long process to get your wings as an Osprey pilot, with three separate schools that must be completed before you can fly them.”
Holoman is the first Marine in his family, although he has family members currently serving in the Army.
“The Marines’ elite reputation always stood out to me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to add to the Marine Corps legacy and it is an honor to be in such a distinguished branch.”
Holoman said he is excited to participate in any future humanitarian missions and is proud to be home and show his city what he loves to do.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2014 00:54 |
| Story ID: | 144553 |
| Location: | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 407 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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