The Core USMC Air Assets: 2025
03/25/2025
By Robbin Laird
The lynchpin of rapid force insertion for the USMC is clearly the Osprey. This aircraft is described in the Deputy Commandant of Aviation’s January 2025 as follows:
Since the first deployment in 2007, the MV-22’s revolutionary capability has been a cornerstone of the MAGTF. The MV-22 Osprey provides medium lift assault support to ground forces in multiple theaters of operation from expeditionary sites and afloat. It also provides unmatched operational flexibility due to its combination of speed, range, payload, and aerial refueling capability. MV-22Bs currently based in Djibouti, Hawaii, and Okinawa provide the ability to respond to crisis, contingencies, and humanitarian missions across large swaths of Africa, Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region.
As the backbone of Marine Corps combat assault transport capability, MV-22B squadrons have conducted a total of 109 operational deployments and flown over 588,000 flight hours since 2007. The MV-22B flies approximately twice as many flight hours per year as any other Marine Corps rotary-wing aircraft.
Moving the insertion force rapidly and at distance is crucial but being able to support that force with adequate weapons, and supplies is crucial. The heavy lift component of the USMC – the CH-53E and its replacement the CH-53K – are the crucial enablers for a sustainable insertion or distributed force.
This aircraft is described in January 2025 report as follows:
https://defense.info/re-thinking-strategy/2025/03/the-core-usmc-air-assets-2025/
