105. Air Combat Element (ACE)

Question 1

Explain the mission and purpose of Marine Corps aviation.

Answer 1

To participate as the air component of the MAGTF in the seizure and defense of advance naval bases
Collateral mission - to participate as an integral component of naval aviation in execution of other Navy functions as the fleet commanders so direct.

Question 2

Name the 6 functions of Marine Corps Aviation.

Answer 2

“AAA CEO”
Air reconnaissance
Assault support
Anti-aircraft warfare Control of aircraft & missiles Electronic warfare Offensive air support

Question 3

Name the 2 parts of Offensive Air Support.

Answer 3

Close Air Support: When there are friendly forces near and detailed integration and coordination are required.
Deep Air Support: Action against enemy targets at far enough distance from friendly forces.

Question 4

Name the 2 forms of air defense in Anti-air Warfare (AAW)

Answer 4

• Active air defense.

- Passive air defense.

Question 5

What is Assault Support?

Answer 5

The use of aircraft to provide tactical mobility and logistic support to the MAGTF.

Question 6

What is Air Reconnaissance?

Answer 6

The acquisition of intelligence information by employing visual observation and/or sensors in air vehicles

Question 7

What is Electronic Warfare (EW)?

Answer 7

Any military action involving the use of electromagnetic (EM) and directed energy to control the EM spectrum or to attack the enemy

Question 8

What is the mission/purpose of a MAW?

Answer 8

To participate as the air component of the MAGTF in the seizure and defense of advance naval bases, and to conduct such land operations as may be essential for the prosecution of a naval campaign.

Question 9

What is the function of a Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG)?

Answer 9

The MWSG provides all essential ground support requirements (motor-t, engineering, etc.) to aid designated fixed- or rotary-wing components of a Marine forward operating base (FOB).

Question 10

Describe the characteristics and employment of the MV-22.

Answer 10

Squadron: VMM
Dual-piloted, multiengine, medium-lift, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor aircraft.
Can carry 24 combat-equipped troops or a 10,000-pound external load
Medical: 12 Liters
Provides:
- Combat assault support, logistics support, and special operations support worldwide
- Will operate from air-capable ships and austere forward operating locations
- Is capable of inflight refueling
- CASEVAC Range (1 hour): 200-250 NM
- Range: 1200 nmi (operational range) - 2100 nmi (ferry range)

Question 11

What are the three levels of aviation maintenance?

Answer 11

Goal maintain aircraft in full mission capable status.

1. Organizational-level Maintenance - performed by the using organization such as inspecting, servicing, on equipment corrective and preventative maintenance (adjusting, lubricating, and replacing minor parts) and class V(A) loading unloading of ordinance. 1st/2nd Echelon. Can be performed without specialized training
2. Intermediate-level Maintenance - performed by designated maintenance shops, or field teams that directly support the using organization. Includes calibration, manufacture of selected aeronautical components, liquids and gases (Cryogenics), munitions assembly, off-equipment corrective and preventative maintenance (replacement/repair of damaged parts). 3rd/4th echelon (MALS does this)
3. Depot-level Maintenance - performed at / by a major repair facility, shipyard or team, with specialized equipment, or personnel of requisite technical skill. Includes major rework or rebuild of part, overhauling, inspecting, testing, calibration by naval calibration laboratories, or one to one replacement of defective part, modification of aircraft, engines, and default support equipment. 5th echelon

Question 12

Give examples of depot-level maintenance.

Answer 12

1. Complete rebuild of parts, assemblies, subassemblies and end items.
2. Testing and reclamation of parts.
3. Manufacture and modification.

Question 13

What is the mission of a Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU), and what aircraft do they employ?

Answer 13

Operates and maintains a UAV system to provide unmanned and aerial reconnaissance support to the MAGTF.
VMUs operate the RQ-7 Shadow and ScanEagle UAVs (RQ-21A BlackJack).

Question 14

Who was the First Marine Aviator?

Answer 14

Maj Alfred A. Cunningham, in 1913

Question 15

List 4 of the 7 primary areas of assault support.

Answer 15

• Combat assault transport - “move people”
• Air Delivery - “move stuff”
• Logistical support
• Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP)
• Refueling
• Illumination
• Evacuation

Question 16

What is FOD?

Answer 16

Foreign Object Damage

Question 17

What is the ACE of a MEU?

Answer 17

The 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 MACG detachment, a fixed-wing MALS detachment, and a rotary-wing MALS detachment.

Question 18

Give examples of intermediate-level maintenance.

Answer 18

1. Calibration, repair or replacement of damaged or unserviceable parts, components, or assemblies 2. The emergency manufacture of nonavailable parts 3. The provision of technical assistance to using organizations

Question 19

Give examples of organizational-level maintenance.

Answer 19

Inspecting, servicing, lubricating, adjusting, and replacing parts, minor assemblies, and subassemblies.

Question 20

Describe the characteristics and employment of the AH-1Z?

Answer 20

Zulu Cobra
Two pilot (tandem seat), twin engine, day/night marginal weather attack, shares 85% compatible parts with Venom
Tasks: OAS (CAS: fire support and support coordination), AR (FLIR), AAW (armed escort for assault helo), Forward Air Control (FAC)
Armaments: Hard Points: 6 on stub wings
20mm M197 gatling gun (nose turret)
Air to ground (OAS): 2.75” hydra-70 rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire,
Air to Air (AAW): AIM-9 Sidewinder, TOW missile
Range: 125 nmi (combat), 370 nmi (operational)

Question 21

Describe the characteristics and employment of the UH-1Y?

Answer 21

Yankee Huey (Venom)
Twin engine, single piloted, single rotor, utility helicopter
Tasks: C2, AS (SAR, CASEVAC, resupply)
Medical: Litters: 2 (standard), 6 (max)
Load: 10* passengers (6 standard seats / 8* alternate restraint system)*plus pilot and crew seat
Armaments:
M240 7.62mm machine gun,
GAU-16 .50 cal machine gun
GAU-17 7.62mm automatic gun: 2x7 shot or 19-shot 2.75” rocket pods
CASEVAC Range (1 hour): 100-110 nmi

Question 22

Describe the characteristics and employment of the CH-53B?

Answer 22

Dual pilot, single rotor, three engines, all weather
Mission: AS (transport of supplies and equipment, utility hoist, inflight refueling) Can lift majority of USMC equipment.
Armaments: Three 0.50cal GAU-21/A HMG
Medical: 2 litters (standard), 24 litters (max)
Load: 43 passengers, 30 combat loaded troops; 36000lbs (18 tons) external
CASEVAC Range (1 hour): 120-130 nmi
Range: 620 nmi (ferry); 50 nmi (w/18 ton load)

Question 23

Describe the characteristics and employment of the KC-130?

Answer 23

KC-130 Hercules
Squadron: VMGR
Aerial refueler and transport, capability to operate from rough runways
Mission: intra theater airlift, paratrooper missions, assault support, refueling, logistics, and delivery
KC = extended range refueler variant
92 passengers, 64 paratroopers, 35K lbs cargo
Range: 4,275 nmi
Medical: 64 litters with 6 medical personnel

Question 24

Starting at Marine Air Wing, describe the organization groups of aircraft in descending order.

Answer 24

Marine Air Wing (~200)
Air Group (~75)
Air Squadron (~25)
Flight (~5-10)
Air Division (4)
Air Section (2)