This weekend saw a flight of four USMC Boeing MV-22B Ospreys transit through RAAF Amberley on their way back home. The Ospreys, all from the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) “Lucky Red Lions” based out of MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, had recently taken part in the latest Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) initiative which involves annual rotations of US Marines through Northern Australia.
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This was the largest MRF-D initiative to date, with the rotation size numbering approximately 2,500 personnel. Aircraft-wise, the rotation consisted of:
- Ten MV-22B Ospreys
- Three UH-1Y Venoms
- Four AH-1Z Vipers
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The four Ospreys were escorted by two USMC Lockheed Martin KC-130Js of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) “Sumos”. They had intended to depart for Nadi, Fiji on Sunday morning however one of the KC-130Js encountered a technical issue resulting in a cancellation of the trip.
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The six Ospreys remaining in Darwin may follow a similar route. The other KC-130J was noted on AussieADSB departing Amberley for Darwin on Sunday, potentially to pick up more Ospreys.