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First V-22 Rolls Out For Marines

Arlington, Tx., May 18, 1999 -- Hundreds of Bell employees, along with Boeing representatives and members of the U.S. Marine Corps, celebrated the rollout and delivery of the first production MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at the Bell Helicopter Textron Flight Research Center here, May 14.

After remarks from Gen. Terry Dake, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps, the first of 360 MV-22B Ospreys to be delivered to the Marine Corps appeared swiftly and silently from out of view as it concluded its scheduled acceptance test flight.

It made a series of quiet passes overhead in airplane mode before converting to helicopter mode and landing in front of the crowd of about 500.

"We should all be proud after all these years of hard work and dedication on this project," said Tony Parasida, Boeing V-22 program manager. "Seeing the V-22 fly here today just makes the heart pound, especially for those of us at Bell and Boeing who have worked on this magnificent product ­ this is a very significant milestone for us and the Marines."

In his acceptance speech, Dake was lavish with praise and appreciation for the workers who made the event possible.

"I wish the thousands of U.S. Marines who will be using this revolutionary aircraft could be here today. I wish you could look into the faces of those young men and women of America, and they could look into yours -- the artisans and craftsmen of the V-22. You would be proud and they would be grateful, as I am grateful to you," said Dake. "The Osprey will carry the Marine Corps into the 21st Century. Thanks to all of you at Bell and Boeing for your hard work in making this day possible. It is a historic moment in aviation history and for the Corps."

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