A video uploaded to the internet revealed the awesome power and might of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, and it’s enough to make any patriot feel proud.
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Mahoney, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced) 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), AV-8B Harrier aircraft pilot, talks about his experience during a controlled landing after his front landing gear malfunctioned on his aircraft aboard the USS Bataan at sea, June 7, 2014.
Elements of the 22nd MEU, embarked aboard Bataan, are operating in the U.S. 6th fleet area of operations to augment U.S. Crisis Response forces in the region.
After the nose gear on this AV-8B Harrier malfunctioned shortly after takeoff, Capt. William Mahoney had to execute a Vertical Landing on the top deck of the USS Bataan using a modified padded stool.
In the video, Capt. Mahoney explains that he knew the aircraft is experiencing a problem shortly after taking off, so he radioed the ship and flew past the control tower at 300 feet, hoping they would be able to assess the issue from afar. Since this was not such a case, the Captain had to land the 46-foot-long, 31,000-pound jet with an improvised procedure, where he had to support the nose of the Harrier on a padded stool, built specifically for such an emergency. He says he couldn’t see the stool, but he knew it was there. The deck had been evacuated, in the event of the jet crashing.
That Devil Dog deserves a Medal or a citation citing his professionalism under the difficult and stressful situation. This Marine kept his cool, calm demeanor and saved the American taxpayers a lot of money!
