This is a copy of a comment Paralus made about my question regarding MV-22 survivability in and around the landing zone (approach and departure).
Back in 2001, everyone thought that Brig. Gen. Amos would be forced to retire after he was caught telling lies about V-22 readiness and conspiring to hide V-22 failures from civilian leaders. The Inspector General even seized his computer. "Well said.
"The commander of the first Osprey squadron was taped ordering his maintenance crews to lie about the V-22's mission capable rates in the interests of obtaining approval for full-rate production. Last Nov. 21, Marine Brig. Gen. James Amos e-mailed a 'close hold' memo to Lt. Gen. Frederick McCorkle, stating his fear that a report of low mission capable rates of 26.7 percent for early November 'isn't going to help' in regard to the upcoming production decision. Significantly, the only non-Marines on the address list for the memo were the president of Bell Textron and a vice president of Boeing. Then, on Dec. 1, during a news conference convened expressly to explain why the V-22 was ready for full-rate production, Amos claimed that its mission capable rate for the first 13 days of November had been 73.2 percent."General Amos was not forced to retire, but was rewarded with three more promotions and is now the top Marine - the Commandant! He continues to spin lies about the V-22's readiness, safety record, performance, and the need to keep Futenma open."
No wonder this guy is an ethically challenged Commandant; he was an ethically challenged GOWS. This guy is a straight up Courtney Massengale.
Once a douche, always a douche....
The issue with the MV-22 is bringing many disturbing questions to the fore.
1. How can the Marine Corps afford a helicopter that costs as much as a 4th gen fighter?
2. What are the REAL availability rates for this machine?
3. What are the REAL maintenance costs for this machine?
The Commandant and Asst. Commandant can both talk about how needed this airplanes are (including the F-35) but will we be able to afford to keep them in the air? The USAF has a HUGE support infrastructure for its stealth aircraft and things appear to be heading in a direction where the F-35 AND the MV-22 will be gobbling up not only procurement but maintenance dollars.
Amos is a disease.
He has be shown to be without integrity on at least two highly documented occasions and he's fired subordinates and wanted Marines "crushed" for less.
He has to go.
USMC 0802 offered up this link and its Required reading. G2mil.com