No Tailhook, No Problem - The CMV-22 Inherits the COD Mission - LTJG Don Gahres, USN

No Tailhook, No Problem – The CMV-22 Inherits the COD Mission

By LTJG Don Gahres, USN, VRM-30

For the past five decades, the C-2 has supported the Carrier Strike Group as the only platform capable of the Carrier On-Board Delivery (COD) mission. The C-2 Community fine-tuned the at-sea logistics mission over its history and operated as a well-oiled machine. For Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron THREE ZERO (VRM30), filling these shoes will be no easy task. After an outstanding Safe-For-Flight Certification in September of 2020 and the delivery of six aircraft, the CMV-22 Osprey and VRM-30 stand ready to accept the COD torch from the mighty C-2A Greyhound. Those involved hold an overarching sentiment of excitement and readiness, determined to professionally and safely take carrier on-board delivery to the next level. With a fantastic record like the C-2, assuming the mission will not be a cakewalk, but the CMV-22 and the VRM-30 Titans are up for the challenge.

The preparation to assume the mission starts with the men and women of VRM-30, a group unparalleled in its professional diversity. Our pilots are mainly previous C-2 and MH-60S drivers, with only six initial accession Osprey pilots. Our aircrew have a wide range of experience from C-2s, P-3s, C-130s, C-12s, and C-26s. Their combined knowledge leads to mastery when it comes to the unique challenges the Osprey presents. The backbone of our squadron is the group with the most technical diversity - our maintainers. They transitioned to CMV-22s from backgrounds in F-18s, MH-60s, P-3s, P-8s, E-2s, C-2s, and even F-35s. Their unique experience spans most of Naval Aviation! One of our maintainers, AME1 Levi Smith, came from the F-18 Community. He shared that in coming here, “everyone had a different way of doing things. Leveraging different experiences and coming together to find the right way forward was challenging, but ultimately rewarding.”

One obvious deficiency for the squadron to overcome was gaining experience with the CMV-22. The introduction of a new airframe, means that we have to build that experience from the ground up. For the VRM-30 flyers, we tackle this short-term inexperience with a mentality and training regimen we call “Crawl, Walk, Run."

Crawl

Establish a baseline of standards for the way we are going to maintain and fly this aircraft, and train to that standard. This starts with concentrating on the basics learned at the USMC V-22 Fleet Replacement Squadron, VMMT-204, which includes ground, simulator, and flight training.

Walk

Expand training into advanced mission sets not covered in the FRS such as Aerial Refueling, Carrier Qualification, and extended range operations with the additional installed fuel tanks unique to the Navy variant of the Osprey. In a tight window, with the help of the USS Carl Vinson during its Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) in February of this year, we were able to get a majority of our pilots and aircrew carrier qualified, setting us up for the “Run” Phase.

Run

Execute the COD mission. This kicked off at a sprinting start as the squadron successfully moved an F-35 Power Module (PM) to and from the aircraft carrier over the course of eight logistics missions. The PM move was a complex evolution employing two aircraft over four days, extensive training, and coordination between a number of shore based and at sea entities. This benchmark moment signaled the start of the CMV-22 being ready to assume the primary role of at-sea logistics support from the C-2, in addition to the safe and expeditious transportation of Commander Naval Air Forces, Commander Pacific Fleet, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of Defense... all within two weeks to two different aircraft carriers.

Despite the recent success, the squadron recognizes there will be more challenges to come. The CMV-22B is an engineering and technological marvel. The ability to takeoff from a confined area or short runway, but still cruise like a multi-engine aircraft is an unmatched advancement in mission flexibility. Furthermore, the on board computer systems, multitude of sensors, and fly-by-wire technology greatly reduce pilot workload while increasing safety margins. These advancements also come with an increased maintenance effort. LCDR Andrew “Hard-G” Gerry, a CMV-22 pilot with over 1,500 hours in the MH-60S, remarks, “Maintaining the CMV-22 is much more intensive than its predecessor, so expectations will have to align on how much work it takes to keep this bird in the air.” The increased maintenance effort for the CMV-22 over its predecessor directly correlates with it increased mission capability and flexibility as the new COD no longer requires a runway to takeoff or land. As a new T/M/S, new guidance to operate safely and maintain efficiently has to be developed. Furthermore, corporate knowledge and best practices need to be developed, codified and instituted. VRM-30 met these challenge head on, completing 100% of its scheduled sorties in support of the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group, delivering 140 personnel and 23,000 pounds of cargo over two weeks;

As VRC passes the logistics baton to VRM, there are still many unknowns and hurdles to overcome. By the efforts of our personnel, the VRM Community will bound these hurdles as our first Detachment heads over the horizon on deployment later this year and the personnel of VRM-30 proudly continue to “Carry the Fleet” and much more!

Vice President Joe Biden exits an MV-22 Osprey assigned to the Greyhawks of Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 161 on USS John C. Stennis' (CVN 74) flight deck during the Rim of the Pacific Maritime Exercise. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to August 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Jiang.