Uh… yes it does. When the Marines are part of the Pacific or Atlantic fleet (“Fleet Marines” in my diagram), they are most certainly under the direct command of whatever Admiral is commanding that fleet. Hence the inclusion in that chain of command.
The Marines ARE part of the Department of the Navy, not part of the Navy.
Lago,
Big difference in missions.
Marine pilots fly the AV-8 Harrier and the F/A-18, and they do have a different mission than Naval aviators. The sole purpose of Marine air is to support the Marines on the ground. Marine pilots train almost exclusively to fly close air support (CAS) missions in support of Marine grunts. Because they are light infantry, Marine ground units are short in organic firepower such as artillery. Marine grunts count on their air support to provide much of the firepower that an Army infantry unit would get from artillery or MLRS.
Naval aviatiors also fly CAS (sometimes) but their primary mission is to protect the fleet, and to project power onto an enemy.
Best,
SkyCowboy
Kniz,
Semper Fi. You’re right, I haven’t been a Marine. But I did work closely with them over a long military career. I’ve also worked closely with the Army’s Special Forces and the paratroopers of the 82d Airborne Division.
I am an Air Force Acdemy graduate, a former Air Force fighter pilot, and during the Second Indochina War I was with the Studies and Observation Group (SOG*), and also spent two years in the 82d Airborne Division, where I worked with the Marine Corps ANGLICO from Camp Lejeune in providing close air support (Air Force and Marine) for the Army’s sky soldiers.
With no disrespect to the Marines (in fact with great respect) it is a macho thing. That’s part of what it takes to instill people with the mental attitude needed to work together as a team, to be ready to undergo great hardship to accomplish a goal, and to defeat an enemy.
The Marine Corps has been very successful at that, even though at its core being a grunt infantryman in a Marine unit is not a very desirable job. Making people think they are about to become part of an elite unit is a great motivation tool, and the Marine Corps are masters of using that tool.
Best,
Sky
SkyCowboy, I’m not sure where you are getting your info from, but the F/A-18 Marines sure do work on air-to-air combat as much as or more than CAS (Close Air Support). There are entire units (called Marine Air Control Squadrons) that vector fighters to aerial intercepts. Harriers are more bomb-droppers than fighters, but the Hornet is adept and able at both. We just haven’t had the need much in about 60 years.
Six Functions of Marine Aviation:
UncleBill
Major, USMCR
formerly of 2dLAADBn, MACG-28, 2ndMAW, MCAS Cherry Point
OK, now I DO know where you get your info from. Impressive pedigee. You saw almost exclusively the bomb-dropping side, of which there is a lot.
Marines are masters of brainwashing and mind control. And it works damned well.
You Tease
Almost all the stuff I wanna know about on MAC SOG , is probably still classified
Declan
Batman, if he’s…
what?
That was my point when I said that I was not offended by the word “macho”. That is part of the point of making the distinction between an ex and a former Marine. It is in that mental attitude that is instilled within each and every Marine. Outsiders may not understand and may argue about it, but everyone that becomes a Marine understands and that is really what counts.
Yes, the Marines are taught to say “01[sup]*[/sup] all the way”, but it takes a special Marine to truly believe.
[sup]*[/sup]MOS of the grunt you described.
Yes, indeed and I apologize for any offensive remark I may have made.
Thanks to everyone who answered my question. I sort of assumed Marine aviators would be more oriented towards close air support, and that seems to be the consensus.
I was pretty sure the A-6 was out but I didn’t know that about the F-14, so thanks for clearing up a misconception.
GO ADMIN!
I think you meant to say “03 all the way!”, 0311 being the basic infantry MOS.
Uncle Bill,
You are of course right about the functions. But the purpose of those six is to support the Marine Corps grunt on the ground.
Best,
Sky
[ul]:o [sup]Damn, you’re right Unclebill. I should have said it outloud and I’d have known.[/sup][/ul]
Most countries don’t have Marines as such, meaning a separate enity from the navy, but Navy infantry (Infantería de Marina in Spanish) simply because of size limitation; but of course the mission is the same
US Marines: WHY DID YOU DROP THE A-6, THE BEST PLANE EVER?
“2dLAADBn, MACG-28, 2ndMAW, MCAS Cherry Point”
What the heck is this?
Grumman A-6E Intruder: Busted-up oldness.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D: The new hotness.
As cool as the A-6E was, and is, it is simply outclassed by the F/A-18. Don’t get me wrong, even though they were before my time, I get all nostalgic for the F-8 Crusader, F-105 Thud, etc, but all those are aircraft of a bygone era. The F/A-18 is a truly multi-mission capable aircraft, rather than simply a fighter that can lug around some bombs. The A-6, on the other hand, can only lug around bombs. (And buddy refuel packs, but…)
“2dLAADBn, MACG-28, 2ndMAW, MCAS Cherry Point” translated to English is:
2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, which is part of the Marine Air Control Group 28, which is part of the 2nd Marine Air Wing, which is based at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina.
SkyCowboy, I see the point you are making, which would in turn mean ALL military aviation is meant to support the Marine or soldier on the ground, or the gunners on the boats. True.
Bill,
To some extent, but not entirely. There wouldn’t be Marine aviation if there weren’t Marine grunts on the ground. So I would say it is true of USMC airplanes.
But there are many military airplanes that don’t support ground troops (either directly or indirectly). Our long-range nuclear bombers are there to deter and project power onto an enemy. Air defense airplanes are there to protect the homeland against enemy attack. Many Naval airplanes are there to protect the fleet, both against air attack and against enemy submarines or surface vessels.
Regards,
Sky