CHICAGO—
This Saturday at DuPage Airport you can check out the 11 Marine airplanes. Then on Sunday at Arlington Park there will be a mock drill.www.chicagomarines.com
The Marines on a mission. WGN Medical Reporter Dina Bair took a ride in an aircraft that's key to combat in Iraq.
It has a tilt rotor ... up like a helicopter then down to fly like a plane.
Major Chris Browning, U.S. Marine Corp: "Most of these helicopters here only can go out to 130-160 knots or about 180 miles per hour. We have the ability to do 180 knots which are almost 330 miles per hour."
The V-22 Osprey Hybrid needs no runway when speed is essential for saving lives.
Major Chris Browning: "The speed and the range of capability this aircraft offers is great on the battlefield."
Two large propellers swing up and down on the aircraft ... a best of both worlds design that has not always held up in reality. Early accidents left Marines dead. But pilot Major Chris Browning says the aircraft is better now and with the need for flexibility it's invaluable in iraq.
Major Chris Browning: "Harshest environments in Iraq for 18 months we've had airplanes out there and we brought everybody home safely."
Good news as a group of journalists embarked on a test flight. We straped on a helmet. Made the trek across the tarmac. Got a quick safety briefing.
"The exits that I have are right here ... the front of the airplane."
Then we were off. As you look up you notice, unlike a commercial aircraft, all the intricate wiring is exposed and in some cases so are the marines ... with the back door open. That's where I had the thrill of sitting on my flight. Sgt. Eric Edwards showed me where he mans a weapon to defend the aircraft if necessary.
"We are not an aircraft that goes looking for a fight like I said we are a troop transport we go in there but we do have defensive weapons systems on the airplane to protect us in case we do get engaged."
Dina Bair: "The Osprey is generally filled with supplies and can carry 24 Marines harnessed in, directly into the battlefield. They either parachute, fast rope or walk right down that ramp."
In a simulated aerial raid, Marines exit a helicopter headed for the Osprey mission. It's all part of Marine week in Chicago ... a time for the men and women who defend our country to interact with its people.
"These are the guys that are going to Iraq these are the guys who are going top Afghanistan that are working very hard to defend the country and we want to go out and see the population."
Every day activities in combat highlighted for seven days, 2000 Marines here for a week to remind us all what they do to protect our freedom all year long.
This Saturday at DuPage Airport you can check out the 11 Marine airplanes. Then on Sunday at Arlington Park there will be a mock drill.
