Marine Corps & Navy Integrating Aviation

[Broadsword2004]

I read in this article - http://www.afa.org/magazine/dec2002/1202wings.asp -that the Navy and Marine Corps are integrating their air arms into one unit basically, so that the Marine aviation won't be under the Marines anymore, it will be under the Navy; they will both be one.

According to the article and google, the higher-ranking people think this is a good move for cost and lethality, (which I guess it is cost-wise), but others say it may cause problems for the Marine Corps since they can't directly control their air arm; a Marine commander can't rely on the Marine aviators purely anymore; they will have to rely on the Navy.

I would think it was just done more for budget downsizing from as far as I know, since the Marines rely on the Navy for their budget (I think?).

What does everyone else think?

P.S. if a thread was already done on this, I did do a search on this site and it didn't come up, just so you know.

 

[PilotCPB]

Leave it to the CHAIR Force to write an article about downsizing Naval Aviation!!!!

 

[squeeze]

"Tac-Air Integration" does not mean we're giving up control of our air wings. Basically, it means that a squadron of Marine Hornets will deploy with every carrier air wing so as to better integrate the use of both services in CAS operations. They wouldn't be about to make the first Marine CAG if we were giving up control of our air ops.

do a google search on it... there's been a ton of talk in the USN/USMC recently about it.

maybe jarhead or skidkid can give a better overview, as they've seen it more first hand.

 

[SteveG75]

TACAIR integration has a lot to do with costs. We used to have two air wings with Marine Hornet squadrons, now all air wings will have one. Unfortunately, this will strip the Marines of squadrons for places like Iwakuni.

The biggest issue with control is that ALL air assets (in big terms, naval support missions may still be under naval control) work for an are tasked by the JFACC (Joint Forces Air Component Commander). He decides what forces are used to support whom and what assets go where. So, the Marines could end up with British Tornado support (in a coalition fight) for example. And in general, the AF will be the JFACC. They have been doing it for years and have the ability to support a big staff.

 

[jarhead]

TacAir integration is slowly becoming a reality but with some issues/conflicts. the one Marine Reserve squadron has already been decommissioned. the Marines won't send its F-18D's to the boat due to fuel concerns. approx half of the Corps Single seat hornets haven't been to the boat in years, if ever, so training the squadrons up for boat ops take time. a couple of the Corps F-18C squadrons are flying Hornets that are right at their trap life so either they need to trade out jets with the reserve squadrons or get a waiver for a few more traps. the Corps is trying to get the Squid Hornet sqds that are going to be assigned to the UDP cycle to play at CAX & other events like Desert Talon. (some other issues that probably shouldn't be discussed here)

my opinion of TacAir integration ... i don't really have one, it's mostly a Hq issue, and i have no problem with going to the boat because right now the only Marine fixed wing squadrons seeing any action (and getting $$ for gooche equipment) is the D squadrons & Harriers, so the only way really to see any real world action (and get flight time & credibility) if you're in a single seat Hornet is going to the boat. also, at the boat we will be able to do A-A, instead of the A-G only focus that is prevailing right now thorughout the Hornet MAG's. (currently Marine Hornets should be VMA instead of VMFA, but i'm digressing) ...

S/F

 

[skyhigh81]

Yeah, Navy will NEVER take over our aviation assets....And I mean NEVER. They might participate and will actually do so (WestPAC and such, since we have Hornet squadrons that are not capable of meeting the quals). But as far as the Navy becoming our ACE in the MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force), it will not happen. It's what sets us apart from any organization in the world. We have a unique system of how we deploy our power. MAGTF is simply briliant.

 

[EODDave]

I'm out of the loop here a bit, but I would be cautious about using the word NEVER with anything military related. Maybe highly unlikely would be a better term. As soon as someone says that will never happen, it usually does.

 

[Clux4]

How do we teach the wonderful idea of MAGTF. It can be done; in fact its success will truly explain the fact that the U.S Military is a unified force.