Stupid question about USMC aviation

[texag02]

this is an incredibly basic question, but i lack the time with internet connection to search suffeciently...what craft do the Marines offer to fly and what is the heirarchy. i have signed my air contract and am slotted for OCS in jan. my initial test scores werent inredible but passing, and my contract PFT went well so im curious about how this will play out for me in the long term.

semper fi

 

[NathanStorm]

texag02,
There is a relatively wide range of aircraft in the Marine Corps. You have the skids (Huey and Cobra), Phrogs (CH-46), CH-53s (Echos and Deltas) on the helo side. On the jet side there are Harriers, Hornets and Intruders (AV-8B, F/A-18, EA-6B respectively). Then there's the C-130. Plenty of info out there so take a look.

 

[phrogdriver]

What do you mean by "hierarchy?" USMC.mil has each of the aircraft listed in the "equipment factfile."

 

[Pat1USMC]

The EA-6B is not called the Intruder. Its the Prowler. The Intruder is retired.

 

[NathanStorm]

I wrote that while standing duty, you'll have to excuse me. I'd been up for a while.

 

[Daedalus]

While we are under stupid question, what is the purpose of the VTOL/STOL capability of the Harrier and the JSF for the Marines? It's cool and all but, helos can do hover and rescue, jets can do high speed, why the need for that capability?

 

[woodman]

The Marine's like the VTOL/VSTOL concept so that they can operate from the most forward deployed locations, such as roads and unprepared airfields. It allows the Marines to base firepower extremely close to the front lines, which would be impossible if you have a jet that needed an 8000 ft runway in order to operate effectively. In fact, the Harriers were the most forward deployed weapons platform during the Gulf War because of their VTOL/VSTOL ability.

 

[Daedalus]

Wouldn't jets on the ground be sitting ducks in a forward deployed area? I mean a slowly rising jet with huge heat output would be a sweet and easy target, no? Can you give an example/ hypothetical as to how they were used/ might have been used in the Gulf?

 

[woodman]

I don't think that the situation in Iraq was such that the Harrier's were sitting ducks as forward deployed as they were. Obviously, those in charge wouldn't put the pilots in a situation that left them out to dry.
In Iraq as in all other conflicts, it was used as a CAS platform. By being so close to the front lines, the Harrier was able to generate more sorties in less time and it was able to carry more stores because it didn't have to carry EFC's. There are a lot of benefits to being so close to the action, as long as it is a secure area.

 

[Daedalus]

What about fuel, either they would have to have trucks, which wouldn't really make it forward deployed, more of a makeshift base no?, or air tankers which means they would have to plan missions around those flights, defeating the purpose. What about re-supply for ordinance, or replacement parts, you would need support for that, again making it no longer a forward deployment but an air base?


What does CAS, and EFC stand for?

 

[woodman]

You're beginning to think way outside the box. The fact is, the Harriers were the most forward deployed aircraft and it worked very well for the Marines. Resupply of both fuel and weapons must have occured, because it worked. History doesn't lie. In fact, Gen. Schwartkopf(?) listed only 3 aircraft as playing a significant role in the defeat of Iraq so quickly, and you guessed it, the Harrier was one of 'em.
The situation in the gulf as well as any other foreseeable conflict is such that the US will have such massive power and odds that we can do as we please with locations of our aircraft, equipment and troops.
CAS - Close Air Support (helping the grunts on the ground)
EFC's - External Fuel Tanks

 

[Daedalus]

Hey! I got my second star.
I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm asking how it happened.
Why would helos not work for that situation?