Operational Muscle

Capt. David “Cliff” Verhine

Capt. David “Cliff” Verhine is a USMC Osprey pilot. He served with VMM-161 (later with VMM-363) for nearly three years, “growing up” in the V-22 ranks. He made his first combat deployment in Afghanistan. “I had the opportunity to take the MV-22B into combat in Afghanistan. Afghanistan exceeded all my expectations for sure. I always knew that we were slated for an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment, but you never really heard much about what was going on over there; you just kind of kept your focus on the tasks at hand. Fast forward two years, and I’m sitting in the right seat of a multimillion dollar aircraft with a crew about to head into the fray. It really makes you take an introspective look and ask yourself the hard questions.

“The MV-22B performed beautifully in Afghanistan as far as I’m concerned. Speed, payload, and operational flexibility combined with a pilot-friendly flight control system and a precision navigation suite allowed us to perform everything the ground combat element asked of us.

“Throughout our deployment, we had a few lines of General Support every day, which consisted of moving pax, mail, and cargo around the battlefield, which was really no different from other assault support platforms in country. The major difference, however, was that we were able to move more cargo in less time—all while remaining out of the engagement envelope for most of the enemy’s weapons systems due to the higher altitude operating capability provided by the Osprey’s performance.

“In addition to General Support, we also performed nearly every mission set required of an assault support aircraft. Our bread and butter consisted of lifting combat troops into and out of zones so they could close with and destroy the enemy. I’ll never forget my first extract of combat troops. It was a low light level night and we were dash two of a three plane division. Upon ingressing the landing zone, an insurgent fired a rocket-propelled grenade. Fortunately he missed, sailing over the top of the aircraft by at least 100 feet, which was still too close for comfort … I’ll never forget those two blinding flashes (launch and detonation). It was at that point I knew the deployment was going to be very interesting. Over the course of the next six months, my aircraft was engaged four or five more times, mostly with small arms. At first you kind of get worked up about it, but eventually the crew chief is like ... aaaaaand we’re getting shot at again, sir. I guess it helps to joke about it. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t too funny. Although I never came back with holes in my aircraft, others in my squadron weren’t so lucky. I can tell you, however, that the Osprey handles battle damage quite well and quickly returned to the fight.

“The operating environment in Afghanistan was quite challenging. You had significant terrain to deal with, coupled with high altitudes and dusty landing zones. Although all these factors required detailed flight planning, they also allowed the Osprey to flex its operational muscles. I will say, however, that out of all these factors the brownouts were probably the most challenging. Unlike operating in CONUS [the continental U.S.], where we conducted multiple reduced visibility landings, you had to be ‘on’ right out of the gate with your first landing or risk waving off, which we generally try to avoid since it results in longer times spent in a weapons engagement zone.

“I was at Camp Bastion when 15 Taliban insurgents broke through the wire at about 2200 that night. I was woken up by the sound of a C-130 Hercules waving off, but he sounded off course, as he was flying right over my ‘can.’ Immediately I heard the ominous thump, thump, thump of RPGs exploding in the distance. I cracked the door open and heard the buzz of machine gun fire, both incoming and outgoing. We all immediately donned our gear and headed to the flight line. As I looked north, I could tell the Harrier line was in quite the fight.

“Within seconds an RPG impacted our fuel pits, instantly igniting thousands of pounds of aviation fuel. Of course chaos ensued as the insurgents swept down the flight line firing salvos of RPGs and ripping off round after round of 7.62mm from PKMs and AK47s. Unfortunately, they got the drop on us that night, but all the Marines and Sailors on the Bastion flightline stood tall in the face of danger and ran to the fight.

Every Marine, from pilots to avionic technicians, was a rifleman. I think the way we responded that night, the manner we came together, is one of my proudest moments of the deployment. Unfortunately two Marines made the ultimate sacrifice and we all owe them our gratitude for their heroic actions.”