USMC air to air

[Bajastylee]

Do the Marines train for air to air? I do realize that there main job is CAS. But I was just curious because they probably get tasked out to secure the air around the carriers. I would put money on "yes" but I am just trying to confirm what I think I know. Thanks.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

I am not a pilot, but I know the answer is yes.

I used to work a few hundred yards from VMFAT-401 the "Aggressor" squadron for WTI (Weapons & Tactics Instructor Course).

They use F-5's as aggressors there.

 

[Fly Navy]

I'm not a Marine pilot, but I know the answer is yes. I've talked to Marine Hornet drivers.

I don't believe Marines would be doing CAP for a carrier unless the Navy guys were all shotdown and dead... I could be way off-base though. Anyone know?

 

[jarhead]

Do the Marines train for air to air? I do realize that there main job is CAS. But I was just curious because they probably get tasked out to secure the air around the carriers. I would put money on "yes" but I am just trying to confirm what I think I know. Thanks.

yes, we train A-A about 50% of the time

Marine Hornets were running DCA missions over Kuwait & Iraq during Southern Watch, and before & during OIF.

S/F

 

[skidkid]

Yes, everyone trains for air to air. The hornets do a lot of it (too much depending on who you ask) but it is a core competency for them, the Harreirs do a fair amount and the cobras do just enough to be dangerous(vs both the F-5s and other Cobras and if we are lucky we get to fight the Hind out in Yuma) and the assaults do enough to survive until help arrives.
The nice thing about the air to air regime is that it is the most dynamic and challenging regime we can do and it develops flight leadership and tactical decision making better than anything else.
But keep in mind that is not nor should it be our primary focus (when was the last time anyone got an Air to Air kill?)

 

[Bajastylee]

Well I wasn't saying that they should focus on air to air. I just wanted to confirm what I belived to be true. Because it would seem to me that if we ever came up against an enemy that had a considerably competent Air Force that the Marines would provide there own security in the air.