Troubled Osprey Set To Take Flight In Iraq

U.S. Military To Deploy Controversial Aircraft In Iraq's Anbar Province

(CBS)  Ten V-22 Ospreys are flying from the USS Wasp in the Red Sea, through Jordan, to western Iraq.

In keeping with the Osprey's troubled history, one of them developed mechanical problems and had to return to the Wasp for repairs before resuming its flight, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

The Marines kept the flight secret because they don't want to draw attention to what is sure to become a trophy target for the enemy.

The Osprey will operate in the wide open spaces of Al Anbar province, where former Marine Bing West says its speed of nearly 300 mile per hour -- twice as fast as a helicopter -- is just what the Marines need.

"The Osprey gives them the opportunity of being any place in Anbar within a half an hour of when they're called out," said West.

But even before it enters combat, the Osprey already has claimed 30 lives in crashes during its development, the worst one killing all 19 Marines on board, Martin adds.

A test pilot who survived a crash had told 60 Minutes his doubts about how well the complex tilt rotor design would ever work.

"It's a part helicopter," said Grady Wilson. "It's a part fixed wing. As such, it will never be an excellent helicopter or an excellent fixed wing."

Former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney tried to kill the program in 1989, but the Marines persuaded Congress to buy it anyway.

"You've directed me to buy the V-22, a program I don't need," said Cheney.

The crashes and resulting delays drove the cost up to $70 million a copy.

"Now the challenge is going to be, is it going to turn out to have been worth all that political investment as well as financial investment," said West.

If the Osprey survives in Iraq as well as it survived in Washington, it will be a success. If it performs as poorly as it did during its development, it will be a disaster.

[sevenveils]

The concept has survived about 50 years of congressional disapproval. The engineering teams that brought this bird to fruition have fought a long arduous battle against much skepticism. Now the value of this revolutionary hybrid craft will be recognized.

[AA Cunningham]

Martin''s report, in keeping with CBS News'' low standards, is a disaster. Martin fails to disclose that since return to flight in May of 2001 the Osprey fleet has logged over 26,000 hours of flight. Martin fails to disclose that the crash in which Grady Wilson was flying was due to a manufacturing mistake, a miswired gyro - human error. Martin fails to disclose that the Marana, Arizona crash was due to pilot error. Martin fails to disclose that the Marine Corps keeps all of their flight ops on the Wasp secret. Martin fails to disclose how many CH-46s, CH-53s, UH-1s or AH-1Ws, all legacy platforms, have had to abort missions due to mechanical problems during the Wasp''s current cruise. Martin fails to disclose that Cheney made the decision to cancel the Osprey ~ one month following its first flight based on the advice of an accountant, David Chu, not because he had any technical data supporting his decision. Martin fails to disclose that Cheney, during his tenure as SecDef, was threatened by Congress with prosecution for illegally diverting funds appropriated for the Osprey to other projects. I wonder if Martin will be doing a report on the total number of crashes and fatalities associated with the H-60 fleet, the helicopter that Cheney and Chu tried to force on the Marine Corps instead of the Osprey. Unlikely. Instead, Martin will continue the CBS tradition of engaging in yellow journalism.

[marinechlck]

"The Marines kept the flight secret because they don''t want to draw attention to what is sure to become a trophy target for the enemy."

I understand that this is a news story and everyone is quick to "cover" the war in Iraq, however, there is a reason why some things are to remain secret-and by putting this out to the world, you are jeopordizing OUR Sailors and Marines onboard the USS Wasp and those Ospreys. I know this because my heart is out there. I didn''t appreciate this at all. Hopefully people see our side (military families) of the scope on this one.

[AA Cunningham]

Correction:

Return to flight for the Osprey occurred in May of 2002, not 2001.

[beachynurse]

Have you ever heard of operational security?? This is a perfect example of why there should not be embedded reporters. Thanks, once again, for putting our Marines and Sailors in additional harms way. Try to remember that they are there defending your freedom and way of life. Not to mention your freedom of speech. At the risk of sounding condescending, shame on you.

[sailorswife1]

I understand that you all are trying to cover these news stories, but my husband is out on that ship and you all are putting him and all the other sailors and marines at risk by disclosing that information. That is all information that, us, the wives can''t even know. Please think of the military families and those who are serving before you report about where they are and where they are going!!!!! We have enough to fear and worry about each day, to have to deal with this too.

[obiquital]

So the Marines wanted to keep it a secret but you just felt that you HAD to spill the beans to make a buck. Thanks David Martin. Thanks for giving information to the enemy. In the Cold War we called this "being a traitor."

[kms081804]

This news article needs to be removed. It is in direct violation of OPSEC:


Don''t discuss future destinations or ports of call!

Don''t discuss future operations or missions!

Don''t discuss dates and times of when we will be in port or conducting exercises!

Don''t discuss readiness issues and numbers!

Don''t discuss specific training equipment!

Don''t discuss people''s names and billets in conjunction with operations!

Don''t speculate about future operations!

Don''t spread rumors about operations!

Don''t assume the enemy is not trying to collect information on you so he can kill you, he is!

Be smart, use your head, and always think OPSEC when using email or phone.


My husband is out there, and i want him to come home from this deployment safetly...and by posting this, you are giving information about my husbands safety to the enemy....you are, as the CMC of my husbands ship calls anyone who makes this info available to the public a RAT. This article is putting about 2000 peoples lives in danger...what gives you the right to possibly take 2000 fathers, sons, husbands lives into your hands? What gives YOU the right to have a mommy tell her children daddy isnt coming home.

[ltsnavybrat]

You guys are truely pathetic, not to you idiots-if it''s supposed to be a secret, don''t put my sailor and everybody else that has members on this ship in danger just to get a stupid story-you need to use more common sense, as far as Im concerned you''re nothing but traitors for writing this and I hope you get in serious troubl for it-you''re a pathetic excuse for an American plain and simple and truely pathetic.

[mommy0506]

I am so ashamed of people like you that twill even consider putting the lives of thousands of sailors and marines in jeopardy just to make your story. There are so many other stories you can write about, why this one. Was it just because it was a secret operation. Do you understand the possible outcome of this publishing. Do you even care that onboard that ship are fathers, sons, mothers, wives, granparents and you are risking all their lives, some fathers that havent even see their children and you are gonna go and risk everything that they are working so hard for, for a little publicity. You are I believe the most hated person at this time by many that have loved ones there. What were you thinking, you should be ashamed, you are a traitor and a rat. I cant believe there are still people in this world like you. Some one with no ethical values. Traitor.

[jpatterson80]

FROM YOUR REPORT**The Marines kept the flight secret because they don''t want to draw attention to what is sure to become a trophy target for the enemy. What in the hell do you think a secret means. Not for the whole world to know and anyone who wants this information now has it thanks alot. My husband is on that ship and I hope to GOD his boat returns safe to all us family members waiting. You are willing to get over 2000 sailors killed for how much money? It is not worth it.. my husbands life is worth a hell of alot more than you could have made on this story. I truly hope you dumba** reporters think before you publish any kind of story of this sort again.

[kms081804]

Dave Martin - you need to take a few minutes out of your next show and apologize about this news story and the selfish act you committed to make a few bucks...this is outrageous.

[navywife101]

Kudos for you! Its a good thing we want to indanger our sailors and marines...Oh wait... WE DONT!!!! What type of person goes out there are jepordizes thousands of lives just to get his name head? I''ll tell you what kind, a pigheaded, narrowminded, unAmerican. You have shamed all of us who fight to keep secrets a SERCET. Its like you dont even care that what happened to the USS Cole could happen again because of you''re "Breaking News". I hope you are never able to go to bed again with a clear conscience.

[navywife1112]

As a reporter you should be aware of OpSec and what that means. I can''t believe how stupid and selfish you could be to just make a busk or get a story, you put thousands of peoples lives at risk today. This is information that the navy spouses do not even have access to and you just put it out there for anyone who wants to hurt out sailors and marines. You put a target on my husband back as well as thousands of our sailors and marines.

[navymom3kids]

What could you, your editors, your staff of lawyers, your crack Military experts possibly been thinking? You have put thousands of lives on the line and in danger with your irresponisble reporting!
Military and their families have to uphold OPSEC...for the safety and security of all involved and so that the ENEMY NOT KNOW what is coming. Now, thanks to your irresponsible and embecilic actions, you have put the lives of our loved ones on the line. You have jeopardized a mission. You have put information out there which should never, under any circumstances, been published or broadcast!
Your reporter could not apologize enough for his actions, but, he needs to try! Your broadcasting company, as well as the reporter, editor, director, producer, need and should be held accountable and responsible.
As so many others have stated before me, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!! You are an embarrassment to your profession. You are a safety risk to our loved ones.
For those of you who are reading this story and following posts who are praying people, please pray for the safety of the ship and it''s crew...in all of it''s missions.
For the sake of OPSEC, this story needs to be removed immediately and all links and references to this story deleted. This reporter needs to be FIRED IMMEDIATELY!

[navygal0205]

NOT do exactly what all of these other wives said you did but you diclosed EXACTLY where they where headed and where they ARE!!!! What are you people thinking?!?!!?!? Our ombusman WILL find out about this and So will our CO!!! I am VERY ashamed of these actions a worldwide news crew would do, and honestly was it worth it?!?!!? I will let all of my family members and friends know not to support your news crew!

[ltsnavybrat]

I agree with everybody else that has posted, David Martin you are a disgrace and I feel terrible that your family has to have such a scum bag in it, I wish you would have to go fight in Iraq and have to deal with everything instead of being a little arrogant fool and putting our information out, you need to go back to college and study more, and while you''re at it---look upthe definition of secret, and seriously-study that term really hard. Think before you go and put our military''s lives on the line-it''s fools like you that make things like the USS Cole happen. God have mercy on your pathetic soul.

[surrykin]

CBS NEWS:
There is an old Navy saying that I Respect even when I was growing up as a Navy Brat & now as a Proud Navy Wife & it still stands "TRUE"

"LOOSE LIPS SINKS SHIPS"

My 22 years of marriage to my Sailor & now on my 15th Deployment & to all the Sea Going Commands that we have been to & going to,that I have never so far read an "Heart Stopped, Fearful & Dis-Respectful" article.

I know All the Local T.V Stations Reporters from CBS, NBC & ABC. They "Protect Our Sailors, Ships & Their Spouses & Families Back Home".

Mr. David Martin needs to come to Norfolk, Va to "Watch & Learn" from the Greatest Reporters in their jobs!

I will be "Happy" to teach Mr. David Martin "How to Respect & Protect" Our Ships, Spouses & Families.

I will be waitng for Mr. David Martin- to "Apologize in Person" to ALL The Ships''Crew & Her Company,Their Spouses,Families Back Home for "Causing Our Sailors to lose Their E-mail Privileges for 48 hours the day Mr. David Martin e-mailed his story from the ship on Oct. 4,2007" & "HIS RUDENESS"

Mr. David Martin- " Was it Worth the Story Now"?

E-mail me back - I will be proud to give you my name!

[navywife2007]

I can''t believe that you are willing to risk the lives of our loved ones over what? As reporters you should know all about the Cole bombing and what happen there and how did that happen? Oh yeah that is right by someone opening their mouths. If my husband doesn''t return home because a reporter opened up his or her mouth and reported something that wasn''t suppose to be told then I hope you never face yourself in the mirror again. Our love ones put themselves to risk every day of their lives to protect us here in the United States and you felt you needed to share this for what reasons? You need some serious actions taken for all of this. Now you have worried family members stressing out even more. Learn what to report and when to report it.

[aowife]

My husband and father of 4 is out there fighting for you to have the right to report your news, the least you can do is keep him and everyone else safe by not disclosing there location. We all want to know what is happening out there but if it risks our sailors lives why in the world would you disclose secret information. You get to sleep safe at night with your family, tucked in your own beds, while our sailors are out there fighting to keep you safe. You look like a fool and so does your news station. And I am sure that if you had a son/daughter on this ship you would have never printed this. YOU ARE A RAT AND SO IS EVERYONE ELSE WHO APPROVED YOUR ARTICLE!!!!
KEEP OUR SAILORS SAFE!!!!

[navywife2007]

My dad is on that ship. I am a 16 year old boy and I see my mom cry because she misses my dad. I hope my dad can come to us. I hope you didn''t put my dad in danger. I am still growing and need my dad.

[marinechlck]

You owe a HUGE apology to not only spouses, finacees, mothers, fathers, relatives and children of our Sailors and Marines onboard the Wasp but most importantly you owe an even bigger apology to our Sailors and Marines. They risk their lives everyday to let you keep your job and all you can do is jepordize them. What a sad sad soul.

[tlc576-2009]

How can you put the lives of our Husbands, Wives and friends in danger by putting up information about where they are located? Do you have no conscience? If anything happens to them it will be on your heads and I hope you get punished severely for this! As a wife of a sailor on board this ship, I take special precautions not to let ANYONE know where they are, even the rest of our families because I know I can keep it a secret but I do not know of them. How stupid can news reporters be?