MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 shot hundreds of rounds from a GAU-16 a .50-caliber machine gun and M240G machine guns taking out targets as they flew past, Nov. 28.
The crew chiefs trained with and fired the weapon systems to maintain and increase their proficiency.
Three MV-22B Ospreys took off in formation from Marine Corps Air Station New River en route to a firing range with the lead aircraft having the GAU-16 and the rear two Ospreys with the 7.62 mm M240G.
The GAU-16 is the aircraft variant of the Browning M2 heavy-machine gun with a rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute. The M240G is classified as a medium-machine gun and has has a maximum rate of fire of 950 rounds per minute.
Both weapon systems are capable of being mounted on the rear ramp and side doors of the Ospreys, said Cpl. Frederick Nash, VMM-266 Osprey crew chief. For this training flight, the Marines placed and fired the weapon systems from the rear ramp of the Osprey.
“It is important for us to train with the ramp-mounted weapon system due to the requirement for defense approaching a hostile landing zone,” said Staff Sgt. Rodney McDowall, VMM-266 Osprey crew chief. “Whenever we are operating in a hostile environment, such as Afghanistan, we fly with a weapon mounted on the ramp.”
Nash said using live ordnance is important to train with because it helps the crew chiefs stay accurate and proficient with the different weapons the MV-22B Osprey has available in its arsenal.
“The training helps to ensure weapon handling and safety are muscle memory and to instill confidence in my ability to effectively engage a hostile threat,” said McDowall.
Being the gunner in the lead aircraft, McDowall had to remain conscious of his surroundings and the other aircraft.
“I had to get my shoots off quick because as we flew over the target I only had a limited time to safely get the rounds down range before the second aircraft moved in to engage the target,” said McDowall.
McDowall said he fired 200 rounds as quickly as possible while the Osprey made passes over the target.
“Having the weapon systems and training allows the MV-22B to operate in landing zones that are of a high threat and gives the aircraft a defensive ability in all situations,” said McDowall.