Why does the Marine Corps have its own "Air Force"?

Why does the Marine Corps have its own "Air Force"?

This question has been asked of me. I've lurked and searched and have never really been given a satisfactory answer as to why the Marine Corps has its own air component. Can a Marine NA or SNA speak up and help me out? Thank you.

s/f

Not a Marine, but agreed... y'all do kick some serious @$$...

skidkid definitely hit the nail on the head. Couldn't agree more.

To kill people

I agree wholeheartedly with what SkidKid said, and I'm going to expand a bit (hopefully to include why we have fixed wing). It gets down to the very basics of why the Marine Corps exists. The USMC is designed as an expeditionary force, able to forward deploy from US Navy Shipping, and sustain themselves for a certain period of time. For a MEU, if I remember correctly, they should be able to sustain themselves for 15 days. The intent is that the MAGTF goes ashore, and is able to hold on to key terrain/objectives until larger, more robust forces can relieve them. As the logisitically huge, and less mobile (but more robust) forces are moving into theater, the Marine Corps must be able to complete EVERY mission assigned to them. Hence the reason they have fixed wing (for CAS and Assault Support). Once the larger force takes over, we (in theory) pack up our toys and head out. Without our own fixed wing component, we SEVERLY limit our capabilities for CAS, ISR, etc... While I feel more comfortable with skids escorting me, I still want to see that litening pod footage, etc... Even if I do have to put up with those guys whining in the wardroom!

So that the grunts can locate, close with, and destroy the enemy.

Having dedicated air support makes that a lot easier.

Well and simply put. We're merely enhance the maneuver element of fire and maneuver.

Because sometimes it absolutely positively has to be destroyed overnight!

lots of more subtle reasons, but the big one is our expeditionary, quick-react role.

I received some good answers, thank you Skidkid and Phrogpilot ... you've given me more than a basic satisfactory answer to give people who are like your becoming a pilot? With WHO, the Marine Corps?

So now after saying damn straight... I can explain why the Marines have their own air assets.

s/f

i think the more appropriate question is why does the Navy have an "air force"? i mean, the Navy does such a good job at taxiing our ground Marines and some of our harriers & helos around the world, why not just get rid of the Navy "air force" as a whole and put all Marine air on amphibs & carriers instead? ... that would allow the Navy to concentrate on what it does best, drive boats, and would better facilitate what the Marine Corps does best, win wars!

fox-3

I cant remember the details of it but didnt they have an all marine fighter squadron (no navy fighter squadrons) on a carrier for one deployment back in the 60-70's (?). I remember hearing that a lot of bad stuff happened and it would never happen again. I dont know the details so hoping someone can put some input on it.

I know it is all fun and games talking like this but I have some marine friends who would die before they would stop saying this kind of stuff. I agree the marines (sorry.. Marines) are the best at what they do but best overall (what my friends try to convince me with) is a bunch of baloney. No branch could win a war without help from every other branch. If the marines (damn...Marines) were the BEST, then there would be no need for navy, army, airforce.

I probably opened a can of worms but its my opinion and im sticking to it.

You really have no clue what you are talking about. You talk like an 8 year old who watches too much tv about the military. Im not trying to be mean but the military is so much more than armor, air power, infantry, transportation, etc.

So??? I have spent the last 3 years of my life dedicated to getting my commissioning and have every right to be freaking crazy (in words) about getting those ‘butter bars.’

your missing one, wheres the third can of salt?

Maybe because there are a lot more air missions than CAS? There is anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air protection issues. There are offensive operations against enemy combatants and merchant ships. There is protecting sea lines of communications. There are supply requirements. Etc., etc. etc. All involve aircraft and are not part of the Marine CAS equation.

Plus, when the Marine aviators can't quite hack it, you always have the Navy aviators to come and bail them out.....

BTW, the Marines may win battles, but the Army wins wars. It takes boots on the ground occupying terrain to win wars. The Marines, as an expeditionary force, do not have enough feet or the support systems to keep the boots there.