MV-22 Osprey

Southern California Coast, 26 February 2000 — Petty Officer 3rd Class Jerry Lowe directs an MV-22 Osprey in for landing on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) off the coast of Southern California. The Osprey, with its unique tilt rotor design, is going through operational testing designed toevaluate the operational effectiveness and stability of the Osprey for service with the Marine Corps and Air Force. The Osprey may eventually replace the CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters. Lowe, of Demopolis, Alabama, is a Navy aviation boatswain's mate.

DOD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason A. Pylarinos, U.S. Navy.

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