“It’s one thing to tell someone how an aircraft works,” said Lt. Col. Michael Boorstein, the commanding officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166. “It’s another thing to show them.”
VMM-166 hosted “Warrior Day” Jan. 10, where it opened its doors to Marines from around the air station as well as Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, to ride in an MV-22 “Osprey.”
More than 90 Marines came out to the flight line to experience the raw power and high maneuverability of the new tilt-rotor platform.
Lance Cpl. Daniel Wilday, a supply administrations and operations fiscal clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 39, MCB Camp Pendleton, was at VMM-166’s hangar to fly in a military aircraft for the first time.
“We work on the flight line and see these aircraft take off all the time and want to get on them,” said Wilday. “This is what the Marine Corps is about, I’m excited.”
The squadron flew four, 30-minute flights where Marines got a unique aerial view of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego area.
“It was the ride of a lifetime, I enjoyed every second of it,” said Wilday, “Opportunities like this is what makes you love the Marine Corps … my favorite part was when they opened the door and you could see everything.”
With this new view Marines see how their jobs affect an air squadron.
“I know who I support now, all the Marines who fly every day,” said Wilday. “It’s given me a better appreciation for my job.”
While VMM-166 hosted the event to give back to the Marines who support aircraft squadrons, they also used it as a way for new aircrews to build experience.
“It’s good training for us as well,” said Boorstein. “Putting Marines in the back of the aircraft and getting them prepped.”
As the last Osprey landed and the Marines went back to their units, they left with a better understanding of what they make possible every day.