Staff report
Posted : Thursday Mar 22, 2007 13:55:25 EDT

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — The Marine Corps will stand up its third operational MV-22 Osprey squadron Friday at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 will be redesignated Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 during an activation ceremony, according to an air station press release.

Currently, the Corps’ entire Osprey fleet of more than 40 aircraft is stationed at New River.

The first operational Osprey squadron — VMM-263 — plans to make its inaugural deployment later this year. Officials have not announced where it will deploy.

The Corps expects to take delivery of 12 more MV-22s this year. The Ospreys will replace the Corps’ aging fleet of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, which have been in use for 40 years. The phased transition will likely begin in late 2009 or early 2010 on the West Coast, followed by overseas squadrons.

There are six CH-46E squadrons on the West Coast and two on Okinawa.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/03/marine_osprey_squadron_070322/