MV-22 Osprey aircraft from U.S. Marine Corps got on the flightdeck of the Royal Navy’s helicopter carrier and assault ship HMS Ocean for a series of US/UK exercises.
For several weeks the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft will fly off the deck of HMS Ocean transporting US and Royal Marines from ship to shore as they conduct amphibious assault training in the Mediterranean.
Able to carry up to 24 personnel, the Osprey can travel further, faster and higher than helicopters meaning greater reach for the men of 45 Commando Royal Marines currently deployed on Cougar 15, the Royal Navy’s annual deployment of the UK’s high readiness maritime expeditionary force.
It is not the first time that Osprey have flown from Ocean as they used the landing platform as a ‘lily pad’ during NATO’s recent exercise Trident Juncture – prior to that, the last landing onboard was over five years ago.
Image: Royal Navy