105 Air Combat Element (ACE) Flashcards
Purpose of Marine Corps Aviation
- The primary mission of Marines Corps Aviation is to serve as the air component of the MAGTF in the seizure and defense of advance naval bases, and other such operations as may be essential for the prosecution of a naval campaign.
- A collateral mission is to participate as an integral component of naval aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the fleet commanders so direct.
Explain the six functions and sub-functions of
Marine Corps Aviation.
- MAGTF aviation tasks are divided into six functional areas that guide the commander in planning aviation allocation and employment.
- The six functions of Marine aviation are:
1. Offensive Air Support CAS, DAS
2. Anti-Air Warfare
- Offensive AAW
- Air defense
- Active Air defense
- Passive Air defense
3. Assault Support
- Combat assault transport
- Aerial delivery operations
- Aerial refueling
- Air evacuation
- TRAP
- Air logistical support
- Battle space illumination
4. Air Reconnaissance
- Visual Reconnaissance
- Multisensory Imagery Reconnaissance
- Electronic Reconnaissance
5. EW
- Electronic attack (EA)
- Electronic protection
- EW Support
6. Control of Aircraft and Missiles
- Air Direction
- Air Control
Offensive Air Support
OAS
-Air operations conducted against enemy installations, facilities, and personnel to directly assist in the attainment of MAGTF objectives by the destruction of enemy resources or the isolation of his military force.
- Close Air Support (CAS): Air action (fixed & rotary) against hostile targets which are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of those forces.
- Deep Air Support (DAS): Air action against enemy targets that are not an immediate threat, in order to delay, disrupt, or hinder later enemy engagement of friendly forces. Does not require detailed integration. Takes place on either side of the fire support coordination line. Examples: Strike coordination, air interdiction (preventative tactical bombing), and armed recon.
Squadron examples (review photos)
- Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron (VMFA): FA-18C Hornet, F-35 Lightning II
- Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron (VMFA/AW): F/A-18D
- Marine Attack Squadron (VMA): AV-8B HARRIER
Anti-air Warfare
AAW
- “Action required to destroy or reduce to an acceptable level enemy air and missile threat”
- Primary purpose is to gain some degree of air superiority
- Uses interceptors, bombers, antiaircraft guns, surface-to-air (SAM) & air-to-air missiles (AAM), electronic attack (EA), and destruction of the air/missile threat before it is launched
- Offensive AAW: Operations conducted against the enemy air or air defense system before it can be launched or assume an attacking role. Attacking the enemy before they can attack us.
- Air Defense: All defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles
Active: Direct defensive action taken to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles, or to reduce the effectiveness of such an attack.
Passive: All measures taken to minimize the effects of hostile air action. Cover, concealment, camouflage, deception, dispersion, protective construction, electronic protection
Assault Support
- “The use of aircraft to provide tactical mobility and logistic support for the MAGTF”
- Examples (7 categories): Combat assault transport, aerial delivery, air evacuation, in-flight refueling, battle space illumination, air logistical support, TRAP
- TRAP: Tactical Recovery of Aircraft & Personnel – recovery of personnel and equipment while preventing additional loss, when survivors and their locations are confirmed – not search and rescue
Squadron examples (review photos)
- Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR): KC-130 Hercules
- Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM): MV-22 OSPREY
- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH): CH-53E Super Stallion, CH-53K King Stallion
- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA): UH-1 Huey (Utility), AH-1 Super Cobra (Attack) [being replaced by the AH-1 Viper]
Air Reconnaissance
- “The acquisition of intelligence information by employing visual observation and/or sensors in air vehicles”
- Visual Recon: Naked eye – observer or pilot
- Multisensor Imagery Recon: Photographic, side-looking airborne radar, and infrared reconnaissance techniques
- Electronic Recon: EW-configured aircraft provide the means to identify, evaluate, and locate foreign electromagnetic radiation (not nuclear or radioactive)
- Squadron examples (review photos)*
- Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU): RQ-7B SHADOW, SCAN EAGLE
Electronic Warfare
- “Any military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy”
- Electronic Attack: Using electromagnetic, directed energy, or anti-radiation weapons to attack the enemy
- Electronic Protection: Protecting personnel/facilities/equipment from friendly or enemy electronic warfare
- Electronic Support: Basically Electronic Recon
- Squadron examples (review photos)*
- Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ): EA-6B Prowler
Control of Aircraft and Missiles
-The coordinated employment of assets (facilities, equipment, personnel) to plan, direct, and control the efforts of the ACE, which is executed through the Marine Air Command & Control System (MACCS).
-All done to accomplish the MAGTF mission.
-The control of aircraft and missiles function serves to integrate the activities of the other five functions of Marines Aviation into a coordinated effort.
Marine Air Control Group (MACG) is responsible for staffing, operating, and maintaining the principal MACCS agencies. Coordinates all aspects of air command and control and air defense within the MAW.
-CE of ACE?
-Agencies include: TACC (Tactical Air Command Center), Marine Air Traffic Control Detachment, Direct Air Support Center
- Air Direction: Authority to regulate employment of air resources (aircraft and surface-to- air weapons). Purpose is to achieve a balance between the MAGTF’s finite aviation resources and the accomplishment of the ACE’s mission.
- Air Control: Authority to direct the physical maneuver of aircraft in flight or to direct an aircraft or surface-to-air weapons unit to engage a specific target. Involves airspace management and airspace control. (Different than air traffic control, which is just one part of Air Control / MACG).
Explain the composition, mission, and purpose of a
Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).
Organizationally
- Marine aviation is divided into three active duty MAWs and one Reserve MAW.
- Each MAW has a unique organizational structure.
- The MAW provides the personnel and equipment for the MAGTF ACE.
Operationally
- The ACE task organizes with various resources from the MAW that are necessary to complete the ACE’s assigned mission.
- Typically, the ACE supports a MEF with one or more MAWs.
- Support to the MEF may include assets from more than one MAW that are task organized to form a MAW (reinforced).
- MAWs include Marine aircraft, air control, and wing support groups. Each group includes the squadrons and/or battalions that are necessary to complete the groups’ roles in Marine aviation.
- MAWs and groups are not organized according to tables of organization (T/Os), but rather are task organized to accomplish the missions assigned.
- Each of the four wings may have a different organization; however, each wing is capable of performing all six functions of Marine aviation.
MAW=Major Subordinate Command of the MEF
- Each MAW has a unique organizational structure
- MAW provides the personnel and equipment for the MEF MAGTF ACE mission
- ACE supports a MEF with one or more MAWs.
- ACE supports a SPMAGTF & MEB with a task organized squadron (like a MAG) that consists of rotary-wing aircraft, short take-off and landing aircraft, a MACG detachment, and fixed & rotary MALS detachments.
- ACE supports a MEU with a task-organized squadron that usually consists of a mix of rotary-wing aircraft, short take-off and landing aircraft, a Marine Air Control Group (MACG) detachment, a fixed-wing Marine aviation logistics squadron (MALS) detachment, and a rotary-wing MALS detachment.
- A squadron assigned to a MEU is not a reinforced squadron, but a composite of aircraft from multiple squadrons.
What is the function, mission and composition of a
Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)?
- The MAG is the smallest aviation unit that is designed to conduct operations with no outside assistance except access to a source of supply.
- MAGs normally contain either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft in order to streamline logistic support requirements
- MAGs can be task-organized to include any combination of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as other supporting units.
- A MAG can also be task-organized into an ACE for a particular mission in order to provide one or more aviation functions to a MAGTF.
- The primary mission of a MAG VF/VA is to conduct AAW and OAS operations from advance bases, FOBs, and aircraft carriers.
Aviation Support Squadrons under MAG
or MWSG
…under MAG:
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) - provides direct support of intermediate aircraft maintenance, avionics, aviation supply, and aviation ordinance to the aircraft squadrons of a MAG
…under MAG (1st MAW) or MWSG (2nd MAW, 3d MAW):
Marine Wing Support Squadron/Detachment (MWSS/MWSD) - provides all essential aviation ground support to the MAG to operate an airfield; includes: airfield services, comms (less than ATC), motor transport, engineer services, bulk fuel delivery and containment, aircraft refueling, non-aviation “ground” supply & equipment maintenance, security, food service, and medical services
Aviation Squadrons under MAG
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR): provides aerial refueling service in support of Fleet Marine Force (FMF) air operations and provides assault air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies. KC-130 Hercules
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU): operates & maintains a system to provide unmanned aerial recon support to the MAGTF. Scan Eagle / Shadow
Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron (VMFA): intercepts & destroys enemy aircraft under all weather conditions & attacks/destroys surface targets. F/A-18, F-35
Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron (VMFA/AW): intercepts & destroys enemy aircraft & surface targets, day or night, under adverse weather conditions. F/A-18D
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA): provide offensive air support, armed recon, and air-defense. Primarily employed on light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from CAS of ground troops to armed recon - AV-8B Harrier, a ground-attack aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL)
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM): provides assault transport of combat troops in the initial assault waves and (2nd fxn supplies transport) follow-on stages of amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. MV-22 “Osprey”
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH): provides assault helicopter transport of heavy weapons, equipment, and supplies during amphibious operations. CH-53 Sea Stallion
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA): provides combat utility helicopter support, attack helicopter fire support, and fire support coordination during amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. UH-1 Huey (Utility) & AH-1W Super Cobra (Attack)
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM): CH-46. Deactivated 2015, replaced by VMM
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ): EA6 “Prowler” Deactivated 2019
MAG Review/Summary
Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)
- Smallest aviation unit that is designed to conduct operations with no outside assistance except access to a source of supply.
- Contain EITHER fixed or rotary wing aircraft, in order to streamline logistic support requirements.
- However, MAGs can be task-organized to include any combination of fixed/rotary wing aircraft
- MAGs are groups of aviation squadrons
Fixed-wing MAG (VF/VA)
- -Primary mission is AAW and OAS operations.*
- Made up of any combination of Marine attack squadron (VMAs), Marine Fighter attack squadrons (VMFAs), Marine all-weather fighter attack squadrons (VMFA(AW)s), Marine aerial refueler transport squadrons (VMGRs), Marine Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) squadrons (VMUs), Marine Tactical EW Squadrons (VMAQs), or MALS (fixed wing)
Rotary-wing MAG (VH)
- -Primary mission is to provide assault support*
- Normally, the MAG VH includes one Marine light/attack helicopter squadron (HMLA), three Marine medium helicopter squadrons (VMMs), two Marine heavy helicopter squadrons (HMHs), and one MALS (rotary wing).
Explain the Marine Air Command and Control System
(MACCS)
- Consists of various air command and control agencies that provide the ACE commander with the ability to monitor, supervise, and influence application of Marine aviation 6 functions
- allows ACE commander to conduct centralized planning and optimize limited resources
- at the same time allows subordinate commanders of ACE to execute plan in a decentralized manner
What is the function, mission and composition of a
Marine Air Control Group (MACG)
- MACG headquarters coordinates all aspects of air command and control and air defense within the MAW.
- It provides the command and staff functions for the MACG commander when deployed as part of the MAGTF ACE.
- Aviation support squadrons*
- Provide tactical aviation C2, integrated UAS ISR, comms support*
FA-18C Hornet
- 20mm gun
- Can carry over 17K lbs of ordinance
- VMFA - CAS, day & night & adverse weather
F-35 Lightning II
- “Centerpiece of Marine aviation and transformation”
- 11 weapons stations, STOVL
- VMFA, CAS
F/A-18D
- 2 seat version of Hornet
- Has Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system
VMFA(AW)
-CAS & DAS, day & night under adverse weather conditions
AV-8B HARRIER
- 25mm gun
- 9,200 lbs of ordinance
- V/STOL
VMA provides offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, air-defense, and air-interdiction. Can basically do what the VMFA can do, plus recon
-CAS
KC-130 Hercules
- 4 engines
- As transport, can carry 92 troops, 64 paratroops, 74 litters, and 35K lbs of cargo
VMGR
MV-22 OSPREY
- 2,100 nautical mile deployment range
- Can carry 24 combat-equipped troops
- Can carry 10,000-pound external cargo
VMM
CH-53E Super Stallion
- “Free world’s largest helicopter”
- Can transport 16 tons (32,000 lbs) over 50 N miles
- Can lift 93% of the MARDIV’s equipment
HMH
CH-53K King Stallion
- Can lift 100% of MARDIV equipment
- 36,000 lbs external load
- 30 troops, 24 litters
Total weight with full load = 88,000 lbs
HMH
UH-1 Huey (Utility)
HMLA - Utility
13 passengers
AH-1 Super Cobra (Attack)
HMLA - attack
Being replaced by AH-1 Viper
RQ-7B SHADOW
VMU
SCAN EAGLE
VMU
EA-6B Prowler
VMAQ
The Marine air command and control system (MACCS) provides the ACE commander with the air C2 support facilities and infrastructure necessary to command, coordiate, and control air ops or airspace sector and to coordinate MAGTF air ops with other Services.
Principal MACCS agencies/activities are composed of air command and control suites that integrate manual and semi automatic capabilities to provide air control and direction.
