Osprey perches on Terrazzo for gander by cadets

By Ann Patton
Academy Spirit

Thunderous engines roared over the terrazzo Thursday during noon break as a CV-22 Osprey paid a visit to The Hill.

The flight originated from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and started its return sortie at 2:15 p.m. that day. "We want to get a cross section of aircraft to show cadets the variety of aircraft they may be flying," said Capt. Matthew Brancato, assistant flight commander for airspace and aerial events with the 306th Flying Training Group.

Cadets swarmed around the aircraft, shooting pictures and taking mini tours through the belly of the plane before its return flight.

The flight was scheduled three weeks in advance. The C-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft, combines a vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range fuel efficiency and speed of a turboprop aircraft.

It is used for long-range infiltration, ex-filtration and re-supply missions for special operations forces and is
equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, a forward-looking infrared sensor and other advanced avionics systems allowing it to operate at low altitude in adverse weather conditions and medium- to high-threat environments.

The CV-22 model is an Air Force-modified version of the Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey.

In flight, the feathered osprey, also called a seahawk, has arched wings and drooping "hands" which gives it a gull-like appearance. It is found throughout North and South America.