The Tribune

EYEBROWS were raised and people looked to the skies in surprise yesterday as multiple US military MV-22 Ospreys soared over New Providence.

Videos showed at least six aircraft flying in formation over Nassau before landing at Lynden Pindling International Airport to refuel.

The Tribune understands that the aircraft were on a routine training exercise from the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Centre (AUTEC) on Andros.

AUTEC is a specialised US military facility and underwater laboratory located near the Tongue of the Ocean. The base serves as a testing site for undersea warfare systems, weapons accuracy and sonar acoustic tracking.

The facility has been used as a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point during military exercises.The MV-22 Osprey is a multi-purpose tiltrotor aircraft that combines the capabilities of a helicopter and a conventional aeroplane. The fusion allows the aircraft to hover vertically, reach high altitudes and high speeds.

Each aircraft typically costs between $75m and $95m. 

Primarily operated by the US Marine Corps, the Osprey is used amongst other things for troop transport and amphibious operations.

The aircraft served as a pivotal asset in the US-led 'Operation Absolute Resolve' in January which resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Maduro is charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, weapons offenses (including possession and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices), and conspiracy to commit torture.