Ranchers object to V-22s flying low over cattle, homes

Low-flying Marine V-22 Osprey aircraft are scaring cattle and even "buzzing" ranch houses at night around the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, several ranchers complained this week. About 200 Marines with eight tilt-rotor Ospreys are training on the 238,000-acre Army range northeast of Trinidad this month but low-flying Ospreys, which can fly both as airplanes or helicopters, have bothered several neighboring ranchers. Tony Hass, owner of the Walking Y Ranch, which abuts the training range, said a V-22 was hovering low over his cattle on Wednesday, scaring the animals and endangering recently born calves. One of Hass' employees photographed the Osprey as it moved away, throwing up a cloud of dust around the cattle...more