Primary: air component of MAGTF in seizure & defense of advance naval bases & in such land operations that are essential for prosecution of a naval campaign.

Collateral: integral component of naval aviation in execution of Navy functions as fleet commanders so direct.

Air reconnaissance

Assault support

AAW

Command of aircraft & missiles

EW

OAS

Triple A, CEO

Definition: air operations conducted against enemy installations/personnel to directly assist in attainment of MAGTF objectives by destruction of enemy resources or isolation of his forces.

Components:

Close air support - close proximity to friendly forces - require detailed integration

Deep air support - far from friendly forces - lack requirement for close coordination

Definition: action required to destroy/reduce to acceptable level the enemy air and missile threat

Components:

Offensive AAW - operations conducted against enemy air or air defense system before it can be launched/attack.

Air Defense - all defensive measures to destroy attacking aircraft/missile  -can be active or passive (cover, camouflage, etc.)

• Definition: use of aircraft to provide tactical mobility and logistic support for MAGTF
• Components:
  • Combat assault - support rapid buildup of combat power
  • Aerial delivery - eqpt/supplies to FOBs/remote
  • Aerial refueling - extend time on station & range
  • Air evac - of personnel/eqpt from FOBs/remote
  • TRAP - recover survivors/eqpt when location confirmed
  • Air log supt - fixed-wing assault support beyond helo range/lift capability
  • Battlespace illumination

Definition: Acquisition of intelligence by airborne observers/cameras/sensors

Components:

Visual recon

Multisensor imagery recon

Electronic recon

Definition: military action involving EM and directed energy to control EM spectrum or attack enemy

Components:

Electronic attack

Electronic protection

Electronic warfare

Definition: Coordinated employment of facilities, eqpmt, comms, procedures, & personnel allowing ACE commander to plan, direct, & control efforts of the ACE to support the MAGTF.  Integrates the other 5 functions of USMC aviation.

Components:

Air direction - regulate employment of resources

Air control - direct physical maneuver of aircraft

• MAW Headquarters
  • MACG
  • MWSG
  • MAG VH x 2
  • MWHS
  • MAG VF/VA x 3

Function: Provide all essential ground support requirements to aid designated fixed or rotary wing components of Marine FOB

Components: H&HS, MWSS (fixed wing) x 2, MWSS (rotary wing) x 2.

Smallest aviation unit designed to conduct operations without outside assistance.

Mission MAG VF/VA - AAW and OAS

Mission MAG VH - Assault support

UH-1N Huey

• twin-engine, 2-seat, single-piloted, single-rotor
• mission: utility support for MAGTF
  • transport max passengers: 13
  • airborne C2
  • SAR
  • Med evac
• Armament:
  • 2 7.62mm GAU-17 or M-60
  • Defensive armament system
    • 2.75 inch rockets
    • crew-served .50 cal
    • fixed forward and crew-served 7.62mm

CH-46E Sea Knight (HMM)

• Dual-piloted, twin-engine, tandem rotor assault support helicopter
• Mission: assault transport
  • 25 passengers, 15 combat-loaded
  • int/ext transport of supplies & equipment
  • medevac - 15 litter patients
  • ~7,000 lbs
• Armament:
  • 2 7.62mm M-60 or 2 .50 cal machine guns
• Features:
  • crash-attenuating pilot seats
  • exhaust infrared sensors
  • crashworthy fuel system

CH-53D Sea Stallion (HMM)

• dual piloted, twin engine, single-rotor assault helo
• primary mission: transport of supplies & equipment
  • cabin:cargo winches, roller conveyors,tiedowns
  • external cargo hook
  • max passengers: 55, 30 combat loaded
  • med evac 24 litters
  • 8000 lbs
• Armament: 2 7.62 or .50 cal machine guns

CH-53E Super Stallion (HMH)

• Dual-piloted, single rotor, 3 engine assault helo
• Mission: transport of equipment & supplies
  • 16 tons (double CH-53D, only 10%> deck space)
• Features:
  • utility hoist
  • dual hook external capacity
  • in-flight refueling
  • machine gun rearmament

EA-6B Prowler (VMAQ)

• 4-place, 2 engine, subsonic EW aircraft
• mission: suppress enemy electronic activity, gain tactical electronic intel
• features:
  • 5 integrally powered jamming pods
  • detect, analyze, and record signals

F/A-18 Hornet (VMFA)

• single seat, twin engine strike fighter
• missions: intercept enemy aircraft, ground attack
• armament: internal 20mm M-61, >17K lbs ordnance

F/A-18D Super Hornet (VMFA(AW))

• two seat, all weather/night ground attack
• FLIR
• NVG compatible cockpit lighting

MV-22 Osprey (HMM)

• multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium, VTOL aircraft
• primary function: assault transport of troops, equipment, & supplies
• replacing CH-46E and CH-53D

KC-130 Hercules (VMGR)

• 4 engine, turboprop, aerial refueler and assault transport aircraft
• Multimission
  • aerial refueling of helos and AV-8Bs
  • aerial delivery of troops and cargo
  • airborne direct air support center
• Capacities
  • 92 troops, 64 paratroops, 74 litters
  • 35000 lbs cargo capacity

AH-1W Super Cobra (HMLA)

• 2 place, tandem seat, twin engine helicopter
• Mission: fire support & fire support coordination
• Armament:
  • TOW, Hellfire, & Sidewinder missiles
  • Zuni rocket launchers can be mounted
• Features
  • fully marinized engines
  • NTS/FLIR

C-12 Huron

• high performance, fixed wing, T-tail, pressurized, twin turboprop passenger & cargo aircraft
• Missions:
  • VIP transport
  • technical/investigation team transport
  • range clearance
  • med evac
  • administrative movement
  • courier flights

Pioneer UAV

• Mission: imagery intelligence for tactical commanders on land and at sea
• Flown in every contingency mission since 1985

Scan Eagle UAV (VMU)

• Small, autonomous remote-control plane
• Long endurance (15+ hours), small size
• Mission: aerial surveillance
• catapult launched, skyhook retrieved

Organizational: inspecting, servicing, lubricating, adjusting, and replacing parts/minor assemblies/subassemblies

Intermediate: calibration, repair, replacement of damaged/unserviceable parts, emergency manufacture of nonavailable parts

Depot: complete rebuild, including manufacture, modification, testing, & reclamation of parts

Marine Air Control Group

• Mission - provide, operate, & maintain the MACCS
• Composition:MTACS, MWCS, MASS, MACS, LAAD, VMU

MTACS - Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron

• Mission: provide eqpmnt, maint, & ops for TACC
• Composition: 10 off, 64 enlisted (3 navy)

Marine Air Control Squadron

• Mission: provide air surveillance &  control of aircraft & surface-to-air weapons ; continuous all-weather ATC services & airspace management
• Composition: sqdn headquarters, TAOC detachment, ATC detachment x 2, TMD x 4

Marine Wing Communications Squadron

• Mission: provide expeditionary comms for the ACE of a MEF
• Composition: headquarters element, MWCS det x1 or 2

Marine Air Support Squadron

• Mission: provide DASC (direct air support center) capabilities for control & coordination of fixed & rotary wing aircraft operating in direct support of the MAGTF
• Composition:  Organic to the MACG

Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion

• Mission: provide close-in, low-altitude, surface to air weapons fires in defense of the MAGTF assets.

• Composition: BN hdqtrs, H&S battery (subdivided into H&S battery - and H&S battery det), firing battery x 2

Marine Aircraft Group VF/VA

• Primary Mission: to conduct AAW and OAS ops from advance bases, FOBs, & CVNs
• Composition: any combination of VMAs, VMFAs, VMFA(AW)s, VMGRs, VMUs, VWAQs, and MALS (fixed wing).

Marine Aircraft Group VH

• Primary mission: provide assault support
• Composition: 1 HMLA, 3 HMMs, 2 HMHs, 1 MALS (rotary wing)

Marine Air Logistics Squadron

• Mission: provide aviation logistics support, guidance, & direction to MAG sqdrns and for Navy-funded eqpmt in the supporting MWSS, MACS, & Marine wing mobile calibration complex.
• Composition: core unit supplemented by aircraft-specific MWSS and MACS augmentees.

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron

• Mission: provide aerial refueling service in support of FMF air ops and assault air transport of personnel, equipment, & supplies.
• Composition: 12 KC-130 aircraft organized into 2 dets of 6 planes.

Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron

• Mission: Conduct airborne EW in support of FMF ops.
• Composition: 5 EA-6B aircraft, functions as independent unit or subordinate to MAG or carrier air wing.

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron

• Mission: operate and maintain a UAV system to provide unmanned aerial reconnaisance support to the MAGTF
• Composition: 1 Pioneer system with 5 UAVs.  Organic to MAW, subordinate to a MAG.

Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron

• Mission: intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all weather conditions, attack & destroy surface targets.
• Composition: 12 F/A-18A/C aircraft, integral unit subordinate to MAG

Marine All Weather Fighter/Attack Squadron

• Mission: attack & destroy surface targets (day/night, all weather), conduct multisensor imagery recon, provide supporting arms coordination, intercept & destroy enemy aircraft under all weather conditions.
• Composition: 12 F/A-18D aircraft, integral unit subordinate to MAG

Marine Attack Squadron

• Mission: Attack & destroy surface targets under day and night visual meteorological conditions, provide helicopter escort
• Composition: 16 AV-8B aircraft (10 in squadron -, 6 in det)

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron

• Mission: provide assault helicopter transport of heavy weapons, equipment, & supplies
• Composition: 8 CH-53E aircraft organized into 2 dets.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron

• Mission: provide assault transport of combat troops in amphibious ops & subsequent ops ashore
• Composition: 12 CH-46E or CH-53D aircraft (being replaced by MV-22), integral unit subordinate to a MAG.

Marine Light Helicopter Squadron

• Mission: provide combat utility helicopter support, attack helicopter fire support, and fire support coordination during amphibious ops & subsequent ops ashore.
• Composition: 18 AH-1W and 9 UH-1N aircraft, integral unit or sqdn (-) with dets

Marine Wing Support Group

• Mission: Provide all essential ground support requirements for designated fixed or rotary wing components of a Marine FOB.
• Composition: H&HS Sqdrn, MWSS fixed wing, MWSS rotary wing