105 Air Combat Element (ACE)

Question 1

Purpose of Marine Corps Aviation

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

Explain the six functions and sub-functions of

Marine Corps Aviation.

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Offensive Air Support

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Anti-air Warfare

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Assault Support

Answer 5

• “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]

Question 6

Air Reconnaissance

Answer 6

• “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

Question 7

Electronic Warfare

Answer 7

• “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

Question 8

Control of Aircraft and Missiles

Answer 8

-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).

Question 9

Explain the composition, mission, and purpose of a

Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is the function, mission and composition of a

Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)?

Answer 10

• 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.

Question 11

Aviation Support Squadrons under MAG

or MWSG

Answer 11

…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

Question 12

Aviation Squadrons under MAG

Answer 12

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

Question 13

MAG Review/Summary

Answer 13

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).

Question 14

Explain the Marine Air Command and Control System

(MACCS)

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

What is the function, mission and composition of a

Marine Air Control Group (MACG)

Answer 15

• 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*

Question 16

Aviation Support Squadrons under MACG

Answer 16

Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS): provides command, administrative, and supply support for MAW HQ and certain elements of the MACG. -essentially equivalent in mission and function of Division’s HQBN.

Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron (MTACS): Provides equipment, maintenance, and operations for the TACC (Tactical Air Command Center) of the ACE as a component of the MAGTF.

• -Serves as the Command Post (CP) for the ACE Commander of a MEF
• -TACC: real-time direction and control of air operations
• MTACS is organic to the MACG of the MAW

Marine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS): provides expeditionary communications for the ACE of a MEF, including the phased deployment of task-organized elements thereof

Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS): provides air surveillance and control of aircraft and surface-to-air weapons for AAW (Anti-air Warfare); continuous all-weather radar and non-radar ATC (Air Traffic Control) services and airspace management in support of a MAGTF– includes TMD (Theater Missile Defense)

-Contains ATC (Air Traffic Control) - air management, approach, departure, air traffic management

Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS): -Provides DASC (Direct Air Support Center) capabilities for control and coordination of tactical aircraft operations directly supporting ground forces.

• MASS & DASC are responsible for processing immediate requests (Close Air Support, CASEVAC, Assault Support), integrate and deconflict indirect fire support (e.g. artillery and mortars) with aviation assets, manage terminal control assets, and procedurally controlling aircraft.
• -Sounds like ground forces let MASS know what they need, and DASC makes it happen*

Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion/Detachment: Provides close-in, low-altitude, surface-to-air weapons fires in defense of MAGTF assets defending forward combat areas, maneuver forces, vital areas, and installations

-Surface-to-air could be on a vehicle, or just a guy on the ground with a rocket

Question 17

What is the function of a

Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS)?

Answer 17

MWSS: Fixed Wing/Rotary Wing Mission

• Think of it as the Logistics Group of the MAW
• Provides essential ground support to the MAG – airfield services, communications (less than ATC), motor transport, engineer services, fuel delivery, aircraft refueling, security, food, medical services.
• They help the MAG out with whatever they need.

Question 18

What is the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and how does it relate to the support/supporting concept of operations?

Answer 18

• 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.

Question 19

What is the ACE of a MEB?

Answer 19

• 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.
• Squadron composition will depend on mission requirements.

Question 20

What is the ACE of a MEU?

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

Discuss the 3 levels of aviation maintenance.

Answer 21

Echelons of Aircraft Maintenance

Organizational – (1^st & 2^nd Echelon Maintenance – Squad Level): Small repairs done in-house. Inspecting, lubricating, etc.

Intermediate – (3^rd & 4^th Echelon Maintenance – MALS/MAG Level): Moderate repairs. Replacing damaged or unserviceable parts, making required assemblies, manufacturing non-available parts

Depot – (5^th Echelon Maintenance – MAW Level or higher): Major overhaul & complete rebuilding of parts.

Question 22

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS)

Answer 22

• HQ entity or “Camp Commander” of a USMC aviation facility
• Falls under Marine Corps Installations (MCI) command
• Example: HHS Futenma and HHS Iwakuni are under MCIPAC

Question 23

Answer 23

FA-18C Hornet

• 20mm gun
• Can carry over 17K lbs of ordinance
• VMFA - CAS, day & night & adverse weather

Question 24

Answer 24

F-35 Lightning II

• “Centerpiece of Marine aviation and transformation”
• 11 weapons stations, STOVL
• VMFA, CAS

Question 25

Answer 25

**F/A-18D** - 2 seat version of Hornet - Has Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system VMFA(AW) -CAS & DAS, day & night under adverse weather conditions

Question 26

Answer 26

**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

Question 27

Answer 27

**KC-130 Hercules** ## Footnote - 4 engines - As transport, can carry 92 troops, 64 paratroops, 74 litters, and 35K lbs of cargo VMGR

Question 28

Answer 28

**MV-22 OSPREY** - 2,100 nautical mile deployment range - Can carry 24 combat-equipped troops - Can carry 10,000-pound external cargo VMM

Question 29

Answer 29

**CH-53E Super Stallion** ## Footnote - “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

Question 30

Answer 30

**CH-53K King Stallion** ## Footnote - Can lift 100% of MARDIV equipment - 36,000 lbs external load - 30 troops, 24 litters Total weight with full load = 88,000 lbs HMH

Question 31

Answer 31

**UH-1 Huey** (Utility) ## Footnote HMLA - Utility 13 passengers

Question 32

Answer 32

**AH-1 Super Cobra** (Attack) ## Footnote HMLA - attack Being replaced by AH-1 Viper

Question 33

Answer 33

**RQ-7B SHADOW** ## Footnote VMU

Question 34

Answer 34

**SCAN EAGLE** ## Footnote VMU

Question 35

Answer 35

**EA-6B Prowler** VMAQ

Question 36

Answer 36

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.