Maj. Joshua T. Fraser explains the capabilities of the MV-22B Osprey to members of the Philippine Air Force Jan. 23 at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. Three Ospreys conducted low-altitude flight training Jan. 23 over Palawan, marking the Marine Corps' first Osprey training in the Philippines. PAF members accompanied Marines on the flights and provided ground control support for the Marines. Fraser is the operations officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (Photo by 1st Lt. Jeanscott Dodd)
CAMP FOSTER, Japan -- Three MV-22B Osprey aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Okinawa, Japan, arrived in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Jan. 22 to conduct bilateral training with elements of the Philippine Air Force.
"The flights we are conducting are important for our pilots and crews to maintain proficiency. The routes here provide a great venue for low-altitude training" said Maj. Joshua T. Fraser, operations officer for VMM-265.
The low-altitude flight training will take place on routes approved by the Government of the Philippines that have been used previously in flight training exercises. Philippine Air Force personnel will accompany the U.S. Marine contingent and provide ground control and other interoperability training.
"The Marines are flying by the same rules and regulations the Philippine Air Force abides by and utilizing similar routes to ones flown by our aircraft" said Tech. Sgt. Edwin Agang, operations chief for 570th Composite Tactical Wing, Philippine Air Force.
The U.S. Marines and Philippine Air Force personnel will also share expertise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during classes and discussions on the ground. Marines will also give a presentation on the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey to the Philippine Air Force and both countries' service members will participate in a cargo loading exercise on the aircraft.
"We appreciate the Marines coming here to train with us and are glad to host and support them at our base" said Agang. (http://bit.ly/11YnBDE)
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