American MV-22 Ospreys will soon be conducting training flights at a significantly reduced altitude in Japan. The Japan-U.S. Joint Committee announced on Jul. 7 that starting from Jul. 10, the minimum altitude for these flights will be lowered to 200 feet, a sharp drop from the previous requirement of 500 feet.
VMU-3 has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC) for its MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft. This certification marks VMU-3’s successful transition from the RQ-21A to the MQ-9A platform, solidifying their readiness to independently operate this advanced unmanned aerial vehicle.
U.S. Marine Corps Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, launches an MQ-9A on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, June 21, 2023. VMU-3, safely and successfully test and fly its first MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft to meet the Naval Air Systems Command safety certification process. The Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC) is the final crucial milestone in VMU-3’s transition from the RQ-21A to the MQ-9A. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo).
Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs from VMFA-214 made a quick stop at Coeur d’Alene Airport on Jun. 17. Coeur d’Alene is the hometown of World War II ace Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, who was also the commanding officer of VMF-214 during the war.
The U.S. government has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit seeking damages of over $5.7 million following a collision between a civilian skydiving plane and a parked Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The incident occurred on May 30, 2020, at Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego, California. The collision resulted in significant damage to the Osprey, prompting the government to hold multiple parties accountable for the repair and transportation costs.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Africa conducts an external load operation during exercise Sky Soldier, La Felipe drop zone, Spain, Feb. 27, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF participated in exercise Sky Soldier which promotes interoperability between Marine Corps Aviation assets and American and Spanish Airborne and Air Mobile forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released)
The U.S. Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II squadron, VMFA-542, has received its first two F-35Bs at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina on May 31.