San Antonio Tests Osprey Flight Operations Capabilities

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Navy News | Jeff Hall | June 08, 2006
USS San Antonio, At Sea - The U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock, USS San Antonio (LPD 17), began testing its flight operations capabilities June 5, as part of an overall test of the integration of new aerial technology with the newest maritime advances, using the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey and the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter.

San Antonio’s design and technology make it the perfect site for developing the aerial capabilities of Navy and Marine aircraft for the newest class of ships.

“This is a unique class of ship,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class James Jenkins, San Antonio’s Air Department leading petty officer (LPO). “This is the first time these aircraft have been on board, so this will enable us to take any information we learn and lessons we learn from the tests and apply them to the whole class of ship.”

The first tests focused on the ability of the Osprey and Sea Knight to land on the ship in a variety of conditions.

“Today we are testing all the wind envelopes and capabilities of the V-22 and CH-46 aircraft. It prepares the whole class of ships for what these aircraft are capable of,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Joel Matos, the ship’s Air Department assistant LPO. “The more flight operations we do on board San Antonio, the more we improve our mission readiness. It’s good practice for when we get into an actual combat situation.”

The tests are also helping San Antonio finish other qualifications, including the ship’s recent certification for underway replenishment.