“Sunhawks” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50, the Navy’s first CMV-22B Osprey Fleet Substitute Squadron (FRS), celebrated a landmark achievement as they obtained their Protected-for-Flight certification on Dec. 16, 2021. Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing Commodore, Capt. Samuel Bryant offered VRM- 50 with their protected for flight certification throughout a cake-cutting ceremony onboard Naval Air Station North Island. The achievement has been a very long time coming for the brand new squadron. The CMV-22B Osprey is the Navy variant of the V-22 Osprey, a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, vertical takeoff and touchdown tilt-rotor plane. The plane will change the C-2A Greyhound, which the Navy has used to conduct service onboard supply (COD) operations for greater than half a century.
“In October 2020, when VRM 50 was established, there have been eight of us in a shack on the flight line. “Now, we’ve stood up a brand new coaching constructing and are a fully-functional squadron flying model new plane in simply 12 months. It’s unbelievable, and a testomony to all of the laborious work the women and men at this squadron have put in, together with the help of the VRM neighborhood,” mentioned VRM 50’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Eric Ponsart.
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“While you take a look at the capabilities of the [Greyhound], this platform brings extra functionality to that mission by extending the vary and with the ability to use the vertical raise as an alternative of counting on a tailhook. This enables us to function in additional various environments and provides us extra choices as a neighborhood,” VRM 50’s govt officer, Cmdr. Emily Stellpflug, the primary feminine Navy CMV-22B govt officer mentioned.
Standing up a model new squadron introduced many challenges, but in addition gave alternatives for members of VRM-50 to set the groundwork for a profitable squadron in each side – from the tradition of the folks to the flight operations. Since their first flight on Sept. 21, 2021, the “Sunhawks” have logged 25 flights and over 81 hours of flight time to realize their safe-for-flight certification. FRS’s are the final cease for brand new aircrewmen and pilots earlier than they report back to an operational squadron. Throughout their time at VRM-50, they are going to full a complicated, built-in coaching curriculum and develop into totally certified in CMV-22B operations. With the safe-for-flight certification full, the “Sunhawks” are licensed to begin coaching college students. The “Sunhawks” are slated to get their firstclass of aircrewmen and pilots in Could of 2022.
CMV-22B Osprey will present the Navy with vital will increase in functionality and operational flexibility over the C-2A. CMV-22B operations may be both shore-based, “expeditionary”, or sea-based. The Osprey is a vital warfighting enabler, offering the time-sensitive fight logistics wanted to help fight operations. As in comparison with the MV-22B, the Navy variant has an prolonged operational vary, a beyond-line-of-sight HF radio, improved gas dump functionality, a public deal with system for passengers, and an improved lighting system for cargo loading. The CMV-22B will probably be able to transporting as much as 6,000 kilos of cargo/personnel to a 1,150 NM vary. The CMV-22B is anticipated to discipline with Preliminary Operational Functionality (IOC) in 2021 (projected). Whereas the Program of Document has 48 CMV-22 projected, the Navy presently plans to obtain solely 44 plane.
