Ospreys deploy to Philippines

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - Four additional MV-22B Ospreys departed Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Nov. 13 to support Operation Damayan, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operation in the Republic of the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

As of Tuesday 129,000 pounds of relief supplies have been distributed and hundreds of displaced persons have been relocated to Manila.

The four additional MV-22B Ospreys will assist the U.S. Marines and Sailors from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, who have already deployed to provide a wide range of relief efforts to the Philippines.

Including those that deployed today, there are currently eight MV-22B Ospreys belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF, deployed in support of Operation Damayan.

The MV-22B provides a unique capability in this type of operation, with its vertical take-off and landing capabilities allowing it to operate in austere environments. Its ability to convert quickly to fixed-wing configuration gives greatly increased speed and range over the traditional rotary-wing aircraft, substantially strengthening our ability to save lives and reduce suffering. The aircraft's range allows it to deploy four times the distance from Okinawa as traditional rotary wing aircraft without stopping to refuel.

"The MV-22B Osprey is the ideal aircraft for this situation. Its medium-lift capacity and ability to fly great distances are essential to support relief efforts of such a large scale area" said Lt. Col. Joseph Lee, executive officer of VMM 262, 1st MAW, III MEF. "The squadron was prepared for this operation and on their way to the Republic of the Philippines within 24 hours to begin assisting in the relief efforts."

Super Typhoon Haiyan has impacted more than 4.2 million people across 36 provinces in the Philippines, according to the Philippine government's national disaster risk reduction and management council.

Since 1990, the U.S. Government has responded to more than 40 disasters in the Philippines at the request of that country's government, ranging from volcanic eruptions, drought, and population displacement.

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