Page 29 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

With the range and speed of the Osprey aircraft, the plane shapes an overarching infrastructure allowing the
ground forces to range over all of Afghanistan, or to be supported where there are no airfields, or where
distributed forces need support.

The envelopment role of the Osprey is evident in Afghanistan as well, whereby the Osprey can provide the
other end of the operational blow for the ground or rotorcrafts in hot pursuit of Taliban.

The Osprey can move seamlessly in front of rotorcraft and land forces, allowing the pursuit of different lines
of attack. The envelopment role was not the focus of the interview because of security considerations, but
anecdotal evidence suggests such an emerging role.

http://www.sldinfo.com/the-osprey-in-afghanistan-a-situation-report/

The progress of the Osprey since then in terms of its performance and impact on the evolution of USMC
concepts of operations has been significant.

FIGURE 9 ED TIMPERLAKE WITH LT. COL. NELSON AND MAJOR DUKE OUTSIDE OF THE MAWTS-1 BUILDING AFTER THE INVERVIEW WITH SECOND
LINE OF DEFENSE. CREDIT: SLD
The F-35B coming into the force is having a similar impact but is building upon the prior experience, which the
Marines have had with the Osprey.

Given “Cowboys” long experience with the Osprey and its maturation, he brings the experience of
Marines shaping a way ahead with revolutionary technologies associated with the Osprey to the new
task, namely, the integration of the F-35 into the USMC.

“Part of the mission at MAWTS-1 is to familiarize the students with the new options associated with the F-35
and that requires a mind shift for Marines in working through how to best leverage the aircraft.”

The digital interoperability initiative being conducted by the USMC is a key part of shaping the situational
awareness thread for the insertion of the assault force via the Osprey and the F-35.

The F-35 as a key generator of SA to be distributed to the incoming assault force.

“The new generation is so technologically sophisticated that they will thrive in the evolving digital
environment of which the F-35 is a key element.”

A key impact of integrating the MV-22 with the F-35 will clearly be with regard to the Tactical Recovery of
Aircraft and Personnel or TRAP mission.

The Osprey has already demonstrated a sea change on how TRAP is done.

This has already been demonstrated in combat in the Odyssey Dawn operation.

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