The CV-22 Osprey represents a major proven combat capability for the Air National Guard. Its ability for
vertical take-off and landing, combined with fixed-wing speed and range has shown this to be a versatile multi-mission aircraft. The
attributes of the CV-22 have enabled military planners to transcend traditionally defined roles and missions as currently dictated by
legacy aircraft capabilities and resolve distance/time shortfalls for current Combat Rescue aircraft as noted by ACC/CC in Mar 15
regarding Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) mixed fleet: "It [CV-22] is as a very attractive possibility to mitigate current risk in the
Combat Rescue mission area, particularly the CRH (HH-60) capability gap for expeditious long-range extractions." The strategic shift
to Africa and the Pacific clearly reflects a serious shortcoming in AF Combat Rescue (CR) that is unsustainable by the current HH-60/
C-130 force with regard to distance/response time. Today, the ANG provides 1/3rd of the CR capability and experiences the same
limitations of the legacy fleet mix. In the current CRH replacement effort, the ANG is the last unit to gain aircraft in 2024, if at all.
While the CV-22 provides immense versatility to Combatant Commanders, it also fulfills the multiple mission sets of the Homeland
Security/Defense Title 10 mission, SOF support/Training and numerous State Title 32 missions in a much more rapid, efficient, and
economically achievable manner. The CV-22 in the ANG will provide concurrent and proportional modernization, increased
long term recruiting/retention, along with a vast multi-mission capability. Counter Drug, day-night fire fighting, rapid Civil Support
Team point-to-point response, Border Patrol, Global CR force projection into denied areas, and Homeland Security/National
Response, are just a starting point for this aircraft.