Osprey salvaged !

The USAF Special Operations CV-22 Osprey that was grounded in the nature reserve Stongodden on the island of Senja in Troms (Norway) has been salvaged on 27 September 2022. The aircraft, CV-22B 10-0053, belonging to the 7th Special Operations Squadron ‘Aircommandos’ based at Mildenhall (UK), made an emergency landing there on 12 August 2022.

Scramble reported on this emergency landing in this earlier post.

That the Osprey made an emergency landing in a nature reserve meant a serious challenge to the Norwegian and US troops that worked together to return the machine to the nearest airfield.

A provisionary path of wooden planking was laid out from its landing place to the coast. Because of the shallow water the aircraft was lifted out by a crane with a 70 meter long arm, and put on a barge that will transport it to Sørreisa.

There it has been hoisted ashore and put into a truck which transported the machine to military airfield of Bardufoss tomorrow. With all the necessary equipment at hand, it will be much easier to repair 10-0053 to airworthiness.

Photo: Knut Anders Finnset/NRK