In coordination with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, the community of U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and USAG Stuttgart had “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise.

Community members wait to tour the inside of an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force during a capabilities demonstration. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, in coordination with U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart received “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, familiarizing the combatant commands with the possibilities and new abilities the aircraft could provide throughout their respective area of reach. The three MV-22 Osprey crews flew 1400 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean, without having to land to refuel, before arriving two days earlier. The MV-22 Osprey possess twice the speed, can fly twice as high, carry three times the payload, and travels five times the distance of other legacy, medium-lift helicopters.

An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, lands on Kelly Field during a demonstration at Kelly Barracks, March 28. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, in coordination with U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart received “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, that helped to familiarize the combatant commands with the possibilities and new abilities the aircraft could provide throughout their respective area of reach. The three MV-22 Osprey crews flew 1400 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean, without having to land to refuel, before arriving two days earlier. The MV-22 Osprey possess twice the speed, can fly twice as high, carry three times the payload, and travels five times the distance of other legacy, medium-lift helicopters.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield March 26, 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft flew to Suttgart to conduct a capabilities demonstration.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield March 26, 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft flew to Suttgart to conduct a capabilities demonstration.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force approaches the Stuttgart Army Airfield March 26, 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft flew to Suttgart to conduct a capabilities demonstration.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force approaches the Stuttgart Army Airfield March 26, 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft flew to Suttgart to conduct a capabilities demonstration.

STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR - Sailors and Marines take photos while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th MEU, which is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

ATLANTIC OCEAN - Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) approach targets during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th MEU, which is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

ATLANTIC OCEAN - Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fire rounds at targets during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th MEU, which is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Mar. 8, 2011) Sgt. Derek Pflugradt of Reconnaissance Platoon, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts his modified physical training aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Due to the cast on his arm, Pflugradt finds creative ways to perform his daily work out. Kearsarge is the command ship of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Mann/Released)