First CV-22 Hits 2,000 Flight Hours

A CV-22 assigned to the 71st Special Operations Squadron at Kirtland AFB, N.M., in mid October became the first Osprey in the Air Force’s fleet to reach 2,000 flying hours, according to a base release. This 2002-vintage airframe—tail number A0024—reached and exceeded the milestone during an Oct. 15 training mission, states the Oct. 26 release. “As a first-generation, multirole weapon system, the 2,000-hour mark demonstrates the operational triumphs of this unique airframe,” said SSgt. Cameron Settle, 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. He added, “It has enabled the Air Force to see the concept in action, in order to evaluate the importance of the role this weapon system provides to our military.” The 71st SOS has been training Osprey aircrews since 2006. The Defense Department’s total V-22 fleet—Air Force CV-22s and Marine Corps MV-22s—surpassed 100,000 flight hours in March 2011. (Kirtland report by Danny Monahan)