A Full-Circle Moment for a CV-22 Pilot

Major Tom Currie was the first U.S. Air Force pilot qualified to fly the CV-22 Osprey; the Air Force Special Operations variant of the V-22. As such, he was responsible for flying the first flight on the CV-22 experimental aircraft in 1997.

Today, Tom serves as the Vice President of Flight Operations at Bell and, in a full-circle moment, can now add another distinction to his career: flying the last company flight on the final program of record CV-22.

This CV-22 aircraft will now begin its operational career serving the Air Commandos of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.

“The CV-22 has been and will continue to be a pivotal aircraft for the Airmen of Air Force Special Operations Command. The development of this aircraft as part of the larger V-22 family was a seminal change for aviation. For me it has been extremely satisfying to have been a small part of the CV-22 legacy,” Tom shared.

Over the years, the CV-22 has seen significant milestones. In September 2000, the first two test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in California. Later, in January 2007, Bell delivered the first operational CV-22 to the Air Force Special Operations Command. Tom has played a key role in the development and operational success of the V-22 Osprey. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Tom dedicated 25 years to the Air Force, primarily as a pilot, including nine years as a test pilot for both the MV-22 and CV-22 variants.

As Bell continues to innovate with projects like the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL), Tom is passionate about working at a company that not only dreams about the future but actively builds it.