Marine Corp
s Commandant Gen. James Conway told defense reporters in Washington yesterday that his “fervent desire” is to get the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft deployed to Iraq for the war on terror as soon as possible. “I’ve been in the aircraft three times—it’s a marvelous aircraft,” he said, adding, “It’s going to revolutionize helicopter flight, and the expansions beyond that. I think it’s going to prove itself rapidly.” However, Conway said the Corps is “not ready to make that public statement” about when the V-22 can be expected to join the fight.
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.