TADCC Annex A: DE.01.01: Intro to Marine Aircraft Wing

Aircraft Category: U

Unmanned Aircraft Category

USMC Aviation Squadron Designators 1st Step

1st Step: First letter is aircraft class V: airplane/fixed wing H: rotocraft/helicopter

USMC Aviation Squadron Designators 2nd Step

2nd Step: Second letter indicates operating service M: Marine

USMC Aviation Squadron Designators 3rd Step

3rd Step: Last letter(s) designate the aircraft category, type of mission, and any special capabilities A: attack C: composite F: fighter G: aerial refueler H: heavy lift (helicopter only) L: light lift (helicopter only) M: medium lift (tilt-rotor only) O: observation P: tactical reconnaissance Q: tactical electronic warfare R: transport T: training U: unmmaned X: expirimental/special mission (AW): all weather

Expeditionary Operations

A military operation conducted by an armed force to accomplish a specific objective in a foreign country. It encompasses the entire range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance to forcible entry in a major theater war.

Maneuver Warfare

A warfighting philosophy that seeks to shatter the enemy's cohesion through a variety of rapid, focused, and unexpected actions which create a turbulent and rapidly deteriorating situation with which the enemy cannot cope. Maneuver warfare is based on the avoidance of the enemy's strengths and exploitation of the enemy's weaknesses. Rather, Marines will attack the weaknesses to destroy the enemy from within.

Mission of Marine Aviation

A. The primary mission of Marine Aviation is to participate as the air component of the Fleet Marine Force in the seizure and defense of advanced naval bases and for the conduct of such land operations as may be essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign. B. The collateral mission of Marine aviation is to participate as an integral component of naval aviation in the execution of such other naval functions as the fleet commanders may direct. C. To accomplish its missions, Marine aviation has six distinct function: Anti-air Warfare, Assault Support, Air Reconnaissance, Control of Aircraft and Missiles, Electronic Warfare, and Offensive Air Support.

Aircraft Category: G

Aerial refueler Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: (AW)

All Weather Aircraft Category

Six Functions of Marine Aviation

Anti-air Warfare, Assault Support, Air Reconnaissance, Control of Aircraft and Missiles, Electronic Warfare, and Offensive Air Support.

Aircraft Category: A

Attack Aircraft Category

4 Core Elements of a (Marine Air-Ground Task Force) MAGTF

Command Element (CE) Ground Combat Element (GCE) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Logistics Combat Element (LCE)

Aircraft Category: C

Composite Aircraft Category

Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)

Each MAG is task organized for the mission assigned. There are two types of MAGs within the MAW: a rotary-winged MAG and fixed-wing MAGs. The primary mission of a fixed-winged MAG is to conduct Anti-air Warfare (AAW) and Offensive Air Support (OAS), and Assault Support (AS) operations from forward bases, expeditionary airfields, and aircraft carriers. The primary mission of the rotary-winged MAG is to provide Assault Support for all Fleet Marine Force (FMF) units.

USMC Warfighting Concepts

Expeditionary Operations Combined Arms Maneuver Warfare

Aircraft Category: X

Experimental/Special mission Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: F

Fighter Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: H

Heavy Lift (Helicopter only) Aircraft Category

Mission of the Marine Air Wing (MAW)

It provides the air component for the MAGTF. The mission of the MAW is to be task-organized to provide a flexible and balanced air combat organization capable of providing the full range of combat air operations in a variety of areas without the requirement of propositioned support, control, and logistics facilities. The wing is the smallest unit with the inherent capability of performing all six functions of Marine aviation.

Aircraft Category: L

Light Lift (Helicopter only) Aircraft Category

Ground Aviation unit: LAAD

Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion

USMC Ground aviation units

MASS: Marine Air Support Squadron MTACS: Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron MACS: Marine Air Control Squadron LAAD: Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion

VMGR

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron

Ground Aviation unit: MACS

Marine Air Control Squadron

Ground Aviation unit: MASS

Marine Air Support Squadron

The subordinate groups of the MAW

Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) Marine Air Control Group (MACG)

VMFA(AW)

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron

VMA

Marine Attack Squadron

MALS

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron

The squadrons within the Marine Aircraft Group

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU)

VMFA

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron

HMH

Marine Heavy Helicopter

HMLA

Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron

VMM

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron

Ground Aviation unit: MTACS

Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron

VMU

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron

Aircraft Category: M

Medium Lift (Tilt-Rotor only) Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: O

Observation Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: P

Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: Q

Tactical electronic warfare Aircraft Category

Aviation Combat Element (ACE)

Task-organized to conduct air operations, project combat power, and contribute to battle space dominance in support of the MAGTF's mission by performing some or all of the six functions of Marine aviation. It is formed around an aviation headquarters with air control agencies, aircraft squadrons or group, and combat service support units. It can vary in size and composition from an aviation detachment of specifically required aircraft to one or more Marine aircraft wings. The ACE may be employed from ships or forward expeditionary land bases and can readily transition between sea bases and land bases without loss of capability. It has the capability of conducting command and control across the battle space.

Ground Combat Element (GCE)

Task-organized to conduct ground operations in support, project combat power, and contribute to battlespace dominance in support of the MAGTF's mission. It is formed around an infantry organization reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, amphibious assault, tanks, and engineer forces. The GCE can vary in size and composition from a rifle platoon to one or more Marine divisions. It is the only element that can seize and occupy terrain.

Logistic Command Elements (LCE)

Task-organized to provide functions of all tactical logistics necessary to support the continued readiness and sustainability of the MAGTF. The LCE is formed around a Marine Logistics Group (MLG) headquarters and may vary in size and composition from a support detachment to one or more MLG's.

Command Element (CE)

The CE serves as the MAGTF HQ. As with all other MAGTF elements, it is tasked to provide the comand and control capabilities necessary for effective planning, execution, and assessment of operations across the warfighting functions. Additionally, the CE can exercise command and control withing a joint force from the sea or ashore and act as a core element around which a joint task force HQ may be formed.

Marine Air Control Group (MACG)

The MACG plans and coordinates the support of the command and control functions of Marine aviation. The MACG ensures its subordinate squadrons and battalions are organized, supplied, and prepared to execute the Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) mission.

Combined Arms

The commander combines supporting arms, organic fires, and maneuver in such a way that any action the enemy takes to avoid one threat makes him more vulnerable to another, leaving the enemy in a no-win situation. It pairs firepower with Maneuver Warfare to produce a desired effect upon the enemy.

Aircraft Category: T

Training Aircraft Category

Aircraft Category: R

Transport Aircraft Category