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Posted
by Amy Butler at
7/25/2008 2:43 PM CDT
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The Marines are obviously easing the MV-22 into its combat role by using the system as a high-speed executive transport for much of its time in Iraq. Fair enough. A shot-down MV-22 would probably make for a programmatic diversion ... of course it would be nice to use the machine for the role it was built to fulfill.
And, the Marines have never been accused of being the most politically savvy service in the Pentagon. But, score for them the excellent photo op for their premier rotorcraft program. It never hurts a program with the Osprey's sordid history to bank some high-profile guests. Now, the MV-22 has both presidential candidates checked off (McCain apparently previously flew on the tiltrotor.)
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for president, used the aircraft for transport during his trip in Iraq and around the Middle East. Here are the pics. He traveled with Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.).
Below, Obama and company come in for a landing in Amman, Jordan.
Were they "backups"? Or were they there to carrying the photgraphers and reporters neccessary to maximize the Obama hero shots and propaganda?
Surprising actually that 3 Osprey's can carry a load comparable to Obama's 757. You know, the one which originally had the American Flag on it but he removed and painted his "O" symbol instead? Not exactly a change I can believe in.