US Navy, ATLANTIC OCEAN: USS Bataan (LHD 5) took on eight MV-22 Ospreys and two AV-8B Harriers for training and testing while steaming in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina in June.
For this final operational test phase, Bataan has the largest number of Ospreys on any ship at one time. Along with the aircraft, 185 Marines, including personnel from Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22, and representatives from Boeing and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) joined the crew of Bataan.
The greatest benefit from the testing will be the experience future generations of Osprey air crewmen will have to learn from, said Marine Maj. Anthony Bianca, director of Standardization and Safety for VMX-22.
