從沖繩到澳洲，MV-22 長途飛行

【Comment】

8月2日間，兩架 MV-22 從沖繩普天間起飛，經克拉克空軍基地，次日飛抵澳洲達爾文以及次日的 Townsville。然後，到珊瑚海參加演習，降落兩棲登陸艦 USS Bonhomme Richard。

換言之，經過空中加油，MV-22 由沖繩飛抵達爾文或泰國，已經驗證。而MV-22 本身也可改裝由空中加油機。

這是「印度洋亞太區域」的連結。

普天間からオスプレイがオーストラリアまで自力飛行移動◎週刊オブイェクト（2013.08.08）http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/news/131102/plc13110208550005-n1.htm

8月2日から5日に掛けて、2機のオスプレイが普天間基地からオーストラリアまで飛行しました。8月2日に普天間基地を出発してフィリピンのクラーク基地へ、8月3日にオーストラリアのダーウィンに到着、8月4日にタウンズビル、8月5日には先行して珊瑚海で演習中の強襲揚陸艦ボノム・リシャールに合流しています。途中までKC-130J空中給油輸送機が随伴し、総飛行距離は7000km近くに達するもので、従来のヘリコプターでは不可能な長距離飛行移動が可能であることを実証して見せました。
今回の自力飛行移動は以前のフィリピンやタイへの展開時と比べ、クラーク基地～ダーウィン間の3300kmが一度に飛ぶ距離では特に長い事が目に付きます。これは航程の間に島が多く、故障など緊急時には付近の島の空港に降りられるので、一気に飛んで行ったのでしょう。
オスプレイはオーストラリアのダーウィンまで約4700kmの航程をパイロットの休養を取った上で2日で到達しています。この距離を強襲揚陸艦で移動する場合、巡航速度15ノットならば7日掛るでしょう。珊瑚海に出る頃には10日が過ぎています。オスプレイは珊瑚海に出るまで4日掛けていますが、休養を切り詰めれば3日で到達が可能です。
強襲揚陸艦に頼らず移動する事が可能なオスプレイは、従来より3倍の速さで長距離展開する事が可能となります。

Ospreys make longest Pacific flight to date◎Marines（2013.08.08）http://www.mcipac.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/1144/Article/147638/ospreys-make-longest-pacific-flight-to-date.aspx

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Two MV-22B Ospreys completed the longest distance Osprey tanking mission to date in the Pacific region Aug. 2-5, beginning from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and ending in Townsville, Australia.
The aircrews conducted aerial refueling operations during tanking missions to extend their flight range, reducing the number of required landings and shortening the mission timeline.
Two KC-130J Super Hercules refueling aircraft supported the Ospreys during the record-setting flight.
The KC-130Js are with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Ospreys are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, MAG-36, 1st MAW, III MEF.
The flight demonstrated the aircraft’s long-distance capabilities and the advantages it provides over traditional helicopters, according to Gunnery Sgt. Wade M. Davis, an MV-22B tiltrotor crew chief with VMM-265, MAG-36.
“I used to work with the (CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter) and if we wanted to do this kind of movement, we would have had to use the ships to transport them,” said Davis.  “This trip would have taken at least seven days instead of four.”
The Ospreys flew to Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, Aug. 2 before flying to Darwin, Australia, Aug. 3 and finally to Townsville, Australia, Aug. 4.  The Ospreys rendezvoused with the USS Bonhomme Richard Aug. 5 where they remained, while the KC-130Js returned to MCAS Futenma.
The introduction of the Osprey to the Marine Corps has increased the operational agility of units and expanded their response capabilities, according to Capt.  Timothy E. Osterhout, a KC-130J pilot with VMGR-152.
“As long as they have a steady supply of fuel, the Ospreys are capable of moving across even greater distances,” said Osterhout.
Being part of such an operation served as a memorable experience for the crew because of the history they helped make with the Osprey, according to Lance Cpl. Justin F. Montgomery, a KC-130J fixed-wing aircraft crew chief with VMGR-152.
“The Ospreys are capable of long, sustained flight and we proved that,” said Montgomery.  “I got to be a part of history, gain more experience in the process, and I enjoyed it.”
Due to the success of the flight, more long-distance Osprey missions are likely to occur in the near future as VMM-265 continues to expand its capabilities.
“I was proud to see the outcome of weeks of planning come to fruition,” according to Capt.  Tristan G. Martinez, a KC-130J pilot with VMGR-152.  “They were able to complete the mission and return in a timely manner.  It was great to be a part of this historic flight, and we look forward to more in the future.”