Marine Corps Close Ground Support

[mcnoch]

Recently, a Marine Corps Harrier Squadron was invited to attend the annual Air Force Red Flag exercised at Nellis Air Force Base, NV. This is one of the USAF's big exercises where they test Combined Arms employment of tactical air assets. The USAF F-15 pilots showed up on the ramp with dozens of rear echelon airman types and tons of equipment such as Ground Power Units, Accessory Power Units, Hummers, Trucks, Air Conditioners, etc. The Marines appeared ready to operate in a combat environment and showed up with only their Harriers. The Air Force commander commented to the Marine commander: "Where is all your support stuff? Geezz, you guys really are just Grunts that know how to fly."


Not wanting to disappoint the Air Force commander, the Marine commander got an idea of his own to carry on the comment. He talked to his First Sergeant and later that night, the First Sergeant had his Marines make up bayonet studs on hose clamps. You see, there is a Pitot tube sticking out of the nose of a Harrier. In the late hours of darkness, the First Sergeant had the clamp with the bayonet stud tightened onto the Pitot tubes of each Harrier.


The next morning, the Air Force pilots fell out on the ramp in front of their F-15s. The Marine pilots fell out on the other side of the ramp in front of their Harriers. Each Marine pilot had on his deuce gear with a bayonet in the scabbard. The USAF commander ordered his pilots to "man your planes." The USAF ground crews by the dozens scrambled to their trucks, APU's, GPU's, etc. and the pilots ran to their planes. The Marine commander ordered his Marines to "Fix Bayonets." Each pilot ran to the front of their Harrier and fixed his bayonet on the stud attached to the Pitot tube. The Marine commander then ordered "CHARGE" and the Marines jumped in their Harriers, dusted airborne, and flew off. The Marine commander turned to the USAF commander and said; "Now that is what we Marines consider Close Ground Support."

[jerryfmcompushaft]

All joking aside, if close air support is needed, the Marines are the best ones to provide it. They are better equipped and better trained than the Air Force which is more strategically oriented.

[Swampy]

Aug 19, 2012 7:51:00 GMT -5 jerryfmcompushaft said:

All joking aside, if close air support is needed, the Marines are the best ones to provide it. They are better equipped and better trained than the Air Force which is more strategically oriented.

An Air Force colonel conceded it, because the Marine system is fully integrated. I then asked why the Army didn't do the same and take back the CAS function, and he shifted awkwardly, then said the Army didn't want that responsibility.

Oh yeah.

[jerryfmcompushaft]

Marine Air and ground forces are fully integrated and speak the same language, therefore they function well and efficiently. The Army gave up its air arm when the Air Force was formed back in the '40s. Retaining only limited air capability with its aviators members of one of the established services.

With the advances in helicopter capabilities, the Army has again gained an 'air arm' (even has brass to designate its aviators as separate from the rest of us).

Why doesn't the Army go for more complex, sophisticated fixed wing air like the Marines? Prolly mostly political - the fight with the Air Force proponents for limited resources just isn't worth it. Attack helicopters do a reasonable job of close air suport and drones can handle the inteligence gathering requirements (with the help of the new ligher than air vehicle ) so the Army can leave the Air Force to handle the strategic requirements of strategic bombing, air superiority, and long range transport.
Anyone else have any ideas?

[Swampy]

The Key West Agreement between the two services prevent the Army from getting fixed-wing aircraft. At least, that's my understanding. But I do agree with you that the Army should have its own CAS.

[boxcar]

When I was in the Air Force, 1950-1954, I was part of the close-air-support, or forward air control, as we called it. In those days we utilized both ground units and air units. As far as I know, the AF still handles this requirement for the Army.

The Marines were the first in this field and we copied their tactics, as a rule.

Tet was telling stories about similar work that the Army was doing. But it was really no more than artillery spotting. If the Army ever did try CAS, their methodology was way too cumbersome for aircraft work.

[Deleted]

Jerry nailed it.