Photo By Tech. Sgt. Joselito Aribuabo | U.S. Marine Cpl. Josue Alvarenga with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, 3rd Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Aircraft maintainers with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, participated in Integrated Training Exercise 2-16, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan 20 - Feb 20, 2016.
The MV-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. Its design combines the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.Ospreys can convert from a helicopter to an airplane in midflight and then back to helicopter for landing allowing it to go to spots that similar type airplanes cannot go to. This capability allows for quick infiltration and extraction of troops in combat zones,rescuing and delivering supplies for humanitarian missions. The MV-22 Osprey has gained the reputation as one of the true workhorses of Marine Aviation. This is especially true during ITX 2-16 where the aircraft fly training missions around the clock. The flight line shop maintainers of VMM-363,work hard to ensure these aircraft are at their peak performance.
The shop follows strict preventative maintenance measures daily to hold the aircrafts at its high standard of capability. During continuous operations, maintainers must be diligent with their planned and unplanned maintenance, especially in dry, dusty environments, such as Twentynine Palms, Calif.
"Being able to work on a very unique aircraft that can take off vertically and also have the capability to fly like a plane is something not many people can brag about," said Cpl. Josue Alvarenga, a maintainer of Tustin, California. "As a participant in ITX 2-16, I'm able to practice and get more training, because what we do here is exactly the same in a deployed location."
In addition to checking key components and replacing faulty parts so the aircraft can be safe for flight, the training environment provides experienced Marines the opportunity to train junior Marines during the 12-hour shift on duty.
Alvarenga said that on the job training plays a key role, because junior Marines learn their jobs by watching and doing, and everything is hands on.
"I trained a junior marine how to taxi an aircraft and he performed it well,”Alvarenga said. “It feels great to know that I was part of that."
ITX requires military personnel to perform their duties in detailed scenarios that replicate situations they may face in a deployed environment.
"ITX is a good learning curve for Marines who have never deployed before," said Cpl. Tucker Reed. "I can teach them how to operate in a field environment and complete the mission with very little resources that we have. Plus I enjoy doing it."
Without the hard work and attention to detail that flight line shop maintainers possess, the many missions carried out by the Ospreys would not be possible.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2016 00:29 |
| Story ID: | 188099 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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