Thanks to ELP Blog for catching this!
Check this out....
Marine Air is going to evolve from its focus on providing close air support to Marine units?
When I first heard this I went high and to the right. The very essence of the Marine Corps is to have the worlds finest combined arms team in the truest sense of the word. Fully integrating all aspects of combat power with one singular goal. To take control of a piece of land, destroy enemy forces and win the battle.
But it seems that some want to take various pieces of a fine organization and use it for other purposes.
McGrath obviously has the ear of the Congressman. They wrote this abomination as a joint piece. He obviously huddles with the Commandant...this sounds like an air wingers wet dream.
The problem? If this becomes reality then we will see a fundamental change in the way the Marine Corps operates. What happens when 7th Marines is making a push to the objective and they call for Air Support and Marine Air is off fighting the deep battle? Lets hope AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys aren't rescuing pilots and that NavAir still wants to play the Close Air Support game.
Its becoming obvious that Marine Air doesn't anymore.
Note: More fuel to the fire. Check out this article...F-35 Costs $182 Million to $299 Million Per Plane
Check this out....
Command and control stovepipes within the task organizations of the Navy and Marine Corps must be dismantled, with a common command structure implemented that sees the land power of the Marine Corps as one of its several primary tools. With the fielding of the VSTOL variant of the F-35B, Marine tactical aviation must necessarily evolve from its singular focus on ground support to a broader mission in support of the Seapower Task Force.Evolve from its singular focus on ground support?
Marine Air is going to evolve from its focus on providing close air support to Marine units?
When I first heard this I went high and to the right. The very essence of the Marine Corps is to have the worlds finest combined arms team in the truest sense of the word. Fully integrating all aspects of combat power with one singular goal. To take control of a piece of land, destroy enemy forces and win the battle.
But it seems that some want to take various pieces of a fine organization and use it for other purposes.
McGrath obviously has the ear of the Congressman. They wrote this abomination as a joint piece. He obviously huddles with the Commandant...this sounds like an air wingers wet dream.
The problem? If this becomes reality then we will see a fundamental change in the way the Marine Corps operates. What happens when 7th Marines is making a push to the objective and they call for Air Support and Marine Air is off fighting the deep battle? Lets hope AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys aren't rescuing pilots and that NavAir still wants to play the Close Air Support game.
Its becoming obvious that Marine Air doesn't anymore.
Note: More fuel to the fire. Check out this article...F-35 Costs $182 Million to $299 Million Per Plane
