V-22s over the statue of liberty in 2015?

[p51]

Last year (September, 2015) I was at Ellis Island and Liberty Island, and I saw a flight of several V-22s buzzing the statue of liberty in formation. Being under an enclosure at the ferry dock and having trees in the way past that at the time, I couldn't get any decent shots. I assume they were there for a photo shoot from the air, but I've never found any photos online of them doing so.
Does anyone know if there are photos anywhere of this? I assume it's not like this happens every day.
I searched online and found nothing.

[mike furline]

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news- ... d490291696

[p51]

I just looked up the date we were there, that photo was a week after that. We were there on September 21st.
Maybe they were buzzing around for training for this?
It appears the Pope was not involved as he was already there and left after that (his visit really screwed up what we wanted to do that week), though the support aircraft could have done their own photo mission (as I do recall one having something painted down the side, but I never could see what, due to the angle). I recall there was at least 2 Ospreys, maybe 3.

[sandiego89]

VX-1, the USMC squadron that transports the U.S. President uses the Ospreys for mission support flying secret service, reporters, equipment, even the first dog. These Ospreys replaced the Ch-46 Sea Knights in that role several year ago and fly in the scheme that Mike linked above- they say "United States Marine Corps" on the side. The President usually flys in one of the VH-3D's.

September is the time of the annual UN General Assembly in New York. The president always addresses this assembly.

[p51]

It's odd that you'd think with a formation of them going right past the statue and no other reason in being that close other than for a sightseeing gig (they orbited around the island more than once), there's be some good shots from the air.
Such a shame as I was never in a position to get any useable photos, and had assumed something would show up online eventually...

[jtramo]

It's a VFR corridor that everyone uses, from C-150s to the Collings Foundation. It may have been something special but I'd doubt it. Even military pilots like to sightsee every now and again. I just saw a pair of V-22s headed that was two weeks ago.

[p51]

It's a VFR corridor that everyone uses, from C-150s to the Collings Foundation. It may have been something special but I'd doubt it. Even military pilots like to sightsee every now and again. I just saw a pair of V-22s headed that was two weeks ago.

These guys were orbiting the island and at a very close proximity to the statue for simply transiting the airspace. They'd likely had to have had permission to have done that.

[jtramo]

No special permission required sir. Ive done it 15 time probably and you legally have to stay within close proximity and down pretty low to do it. They are allowed even lower as they are helicopter type aircraft. Its the beauty of the Hudson VFR corridor!

[phil65]

Did it myself before 9/11.
The good old days..

Phil