Why do the MARINES have an aviation unit? REX

Because the Air Farce can't do our job...

quote:

Originally posted by RB47E:
Why do the MARINES have an aviation unit? REX

It's the law re the National Security Act of 1947 and the four Marine Air Wings constitute more than a "unit".

Yeah...didn't notice that he called it a unit...that's like calling SAC a squadron...guess he doesn't know much about Marine Air...he should do a little searching...

Its primarily for CLOSE air support to the Grunts on the ground.
The Avaition 'units' of the other services couldn't, or wouldn't do the job well enough.

Not to belittle Army, Navy, or AF Avaitors:
Most have served with distinction, and many of them have lost thier lives or become POWs in support of Marines and Soldiers on the ground.

However;
Marine aircraft, and thier crews have proven themselves better suited for working 'with thier own people' for lack of a better term, when mission requirements consistantly find them down in the dust/below the tree line or providing support the moment- or even before ground forces arrive on 'the beach'.

The Army helo outfits can and do perform the same basic functions as Marine helo units do.
The Navy fixed wing assests can and do perfome many of the same missions as AF and Marine fixed wing units.

A primary reason the Marines have thier own Avaition AND Ground forces,
is the USS Big Gray.The AF and Army don't seem to like living, and projecting their forces off of a boat....... especially on 24 or 36 hour's notice. That's bag and baggage-- When the boat comes close to the dock, you start lifting gear onto it. When it ties up for re-supply, ya need to have all your people, planes, & gear on it, so it can be heading out in that short of a time.

If the Army and Air Force ever adapted themselves to become a Rapid Response as well as a Sea going Service, the Marines might well become redundant, and sort of shrink & fade away.

You were in the AF, what do ya think the chances are of the Army or AF ever packing up a unit, and be conducting opperations off carriers on such short notice? Yep,,,,,,, most of the active duty folks and 'the Generals' probably feel the same way.

Providing protection to the Fleet, and arriving with the Mud Marines when they come ashore. That's pretty much why Marine, as well as Navy Avaition will be around as long as the (surface) Navy is.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: WingerEd,

quote:

Originally posted by RB47E:
Why do the MARINES have an aviation unit? REX

In addition you also might want to do some reading and find out why VMF(N)-513 flying F3D Skynights were tasked with escorting night B-29 raids over North Korea. Vaunted Air Force F-94 squadrons weren't quite up to the task.

quote:

Originally posted by SATCtech:

quote:

Originally posted by RB47E:
Why do the MARINES have an aviation unit? REX

In addition you also might want to do some reading and find out why VMF(N)-513 flying F3D Skynights were tasked with escorting night B-29 raids over North Korea. Vaunted Air Force F-94 squadrons weren't quite up to the task.

Yeah, I saw that on The History Channel's show Dogfights last week.

Those Ole Salts did some Hairy Azzed Flying, back then.

I wouldn't mind having an A-10 with a jarhead at the sticks though, providing CAS.

quote:

Originally posted by toomey706:
I wouldn't mind having an A-10 with a jarhead at the sticks though, providing CAS.

The A-10 was designed to be a Tank buster.

It was meant to fly below the power lines, and tree line of European free ways, busting tanks on the move and keep them from ever getting to 'our' ahhhh,,, dogfaces, shall we say..

We got the Cobra Gunship.
For what we need it for, it can do almost anything the A-10 can do, but better, in a hover, and is much more portable**.

**
Unbolt the front blade, and ya can put a few of them in a '130. Or, a bunch of 'em in a '141... and take the rascals anywhere.
Unload them, hang weapons & they are ready to slaughter the enemies of freedom in a few hours. Not so with a A-10, you got to drive it where ya need it, and it don't like working off the USS Big Gray either.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: WingerEd,

AF A-10s in a friendly fire incident with Marines...you might check that out...while it was determined that a observer made mistake, it was also noted that Marine pilots would have probably recognized Marine armor rather than fire on it...

dayem, never thought about an a-10 in marine corp pilot hands.....think of the possibilities. it may be the perfect weapons platform for us harheads....the af tried to get rid of em several years ago...

quote:

Originally posted by sandidge:
dayem, never thought about an a-10 in marine corp pilot hands.....think of the possibilities. it may be the perfect weapons platform for us harheads

Its a good thought..........
But I think the first time it 'snagged a wire' on the USS Big Gray, the little rascal would be torn in half.

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lol well winger yer probly right on that, buti sure would like to have that 30mm cannon on some of our stuff! i guess the only problem would be how to get a cobra to fly with that sob in the nose!

Sandridge, read your e-mails...

thats spelled s a n d i d g e, there tomhanson.
no r in there