Understanding the US Marine Corps' Unique Air Support Requirements

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The US Marine Corps, as a branch of the United States Armed Forces, has always had its own air component despite being under the command of the Navy. This article explores the reasons behind this unique arrangement, examining the challenges and benefits, and why the Marine Corps has chosen to maintain an independent air force rather than integrate fully with the Navy's air power.

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The History and Role of Close Air Support (CAS) in the Marine Corps

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The Air Force (AF) has long been seen as an uninterested or unreliable partner for Close Air Support (CAS) in the Marine Corps. The AF largely considers CAS as just another mission, leaving a void in the necessary training and logistical support for this critical role. This is demonstrated by the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which the AF has been attempting to phase out despite its invaluable role in performing CAS missions.

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The Importance of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)

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The backbone of the Marine Corps' mission is the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). This is a self-contained battalion reinforced with both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, all under a single command structure. This ensures a cohesive and unified approach to conducting operations. If the Marine Corps had shifted fully to an infantry-only structure, the Army and Air Force would have filled the remaining roles, leading to complications such as:

" "" "Rotation of pilots in the Army, causing a lack of consistency and expertise." "The Air Force would end up providing its worst pilots to the task, further compromising operational effectiveness." "A lack of uniformity in operations, with the Air Force potentially attempting to control infantry operations due to their lack of proper training." "" "

Evolution of the Marine Corps and Its Air Component

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The US Marine Corps has its own air component due to the unique nature of its mission, often requiring rapid and unpredictable deployment. This independence allows the Marine Corps to maintain full operational control over its assets, conducting combined arms warfare independently. In the past, the Marine Corps was a 'Force in Readiness' capable of deploying quickly and effectively to anywhere, giving the rest of the US Military time to plan and respond. Now, the focus is on 'sea raiders' and ship-to-ship boarding, scenarios that require a complex integration of air and ground forces.

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The Current Role of Marine Air Assets

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The Marine Corps' air component is crucial for several reasons:

" "" "The rotary wing component enables rapid insertion of infantry into remote locations, particularly when landing forces may not rely on the beach. Over 75% of the landing force could potentially come ashore via helo/tiltrotor, making this capability vital for initial deployment." "The fixed-wing component supports the initial landing by providing air cover when a working airfield isn't available. Examples include the AV-8B Harrier and the F-35B, which offer vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and short take-off, vertical landing (VSTOL) capabilities. These aircraft also play a crucial role in providing support until artillery and naval gunfire assets are operational." "The Navy's traditional support assets for landing operations may no longer be available, necessitating the air component's independent ability to provide close air support. During the initial landing, carrier-based airpower from Navy vessels may be more focused on other missions, and Air Force assets may be too far away to offer immediate support." "" "

The air component is a critical part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). This unified force structure ensures that the ground, air, and logistics elements train together and live together aboard amphibious ships before deployment. This proximity fosters the development and rehearsal of standard operating procedures, significantly improving the overall effectiveness of the unit.

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Given the unique and critical nature of the Marine Corps' mission, the decision to have its own air force remains a vital part of its operational effectiveness and capability.