Marine Corps to base MV-22 Osprey at Kaneohe Bay
The Marine Corps said in its draft environmental report that the operation of tilt-rotor Ospreys, like the one at right, and attack and transport helicopters out of Kaneohe Bay would mean "minimal" increases in noise.
The Marine Corps will bring two squadrons of its latest transport aircraft, the Osprey, and one light attack helicopter squadron to Kaneohe Bay.
The Department of the Navy on Wednesday said it made the decision after conducting an environmental impact statement.
The MV-22 Osprey can fly like an airplane and has tilting rotors that allow it to take off and land like a helicopter. The Marine base will have 24 Osprey aircraft in total.
The light attack helicopter squadron will have 15 AH-1 Cobra attack and 12 UH-1 Huey utility helicopters.
Marines won’t use Ospreys to train at Kalaupapa as earlier proposed because of concern the aircraft could affect archaeological resources next to the airport.
H-1 helicopter training will be limited so activity at Kalaupapa doesn’t increase from current levels.
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