[Hoverbug]

Originally Posted by Hoverbug

There are no deployment-ready MV-22 squadrons at the moment. Two operational units have MV-22s: VMM-162 and VMM-263. 263 has completed its readiness training, but will be engaged in pre-deployment training for some months to come (the "at-sea deployment" is part of that). 162 is still in its initial training phases. VMM-266 has just stood up organizationally, but probably does not have any aircraft yet and won't be at strength for a long time to come. The other Opsrey unit is a training squadron - VMMT-204 and then there is the evaluation squadron, VMX-22.

There will not be any MV-22s ready for combat until this fall at the earliest.

Re: the F-35B. You are right that it is a major complication for the F-35 program, but I suspect that the Marines will fight hard for it as theres simply is no other option for an escort that can keep pace with the Osprey and remain on station during ops. Transformation is a wonderful thing, but it comes with some significant pitfalls.

Update: the MV-22 Iraq deployment schedule will be announced Friday.