The Marine Corps has dispatched 10 MV-22 Ospreys to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, according to a Nov. 7 Virginian-Pilot report. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship based in Norfolk, Va., launched the new tilt-rotor aircraft in three waves for the two-hour flight to the camp, according to the newspaper. The Marine Corps earlier this year said it was on track for a fall deployment to Afghanistan. The new Marine Osprey force previously deployed to Iraq, where USMC officials said it exceeded expectations.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.