Jul 27 2008
What a Sweet Ride
On one hand I didn’t like getting stuck in Al Asad because of a sandstorm. On the other hand when I did catch a flight out it was on the Marine Corps newest aircraft the MV-22 or as most call it, the Osprey.
The Osprey is arguably the most radical one built in the last 20+ years. It is radical because it can take off horizontally (like a jet) as well as a vertically (like a helicopter).
Primarily, the pilots choose to take off like a helicopter and wow it’s not like any helicopter I have ever been. The Osprey just seems to jump right up off the runway. And fast speed? Better than any rotary-wing aircraft that’s out there too. In fact, after we left the Landing Zone (LZ) in Baghdad we touched down so quickly (like 5 minutes) that I figured we had to stop at another LZ. I was wrong as we were in TQ. Normally, I would expect about a 20 minute trip from Baghdad to TQ.
If I was to make any recommendation for improvement then it would be to have even another foot between the people sitting across from me so that we can more easily store our gear. But as fast as it can go why complain?
Check another item of my wish list on my Iraq vacation.
Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins
Popularity: 71% [?]
Is there a ryhme or reason on how the military names thier vehicles?
STOP HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME THERE! You are supposed to be longing to come home, not enjoying yourself so much you consider it a vacation! sheesh….Marines!
And that’s why Marines are a different breed of man…..
They’re all nuts!
And thank God for each and every one of them…
I have no clue on how they names these babies.
I really like being out here (especially in this role). Actually, feeling guilty with less then 80 days left.