From: megazone@obsidian.WPI.EDU (MegaZone23)
Subject: Re: New Carrier Plan
Organization: WPI USAF -- United Society of Animation Fans
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 02:43:07 GMT


From megazone@obsidian.WPI.EDU (MegaZone23)

In article <Bvq4qH.DMp@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM> randy@ms.uky.edu (Randy Appleton) writes:
>So what?  If there were no Marine Air Corps, then the Air Force would
>have had more room and more transport to fly in it's own air planes.

The Marines generally operated from forward bases, so they didn't compete with
the AF. Besides, the was plenty of room.

>I've never suggested that the Marines loose the AV-8B's.  Those planes
>are unique, and seem to fit beautifully with Marine doctorine.  In
>fact, I always wondered why the Marines didn't have more of them.  We

The Harriers may be nice, but they're not suited for everything. As experience
has shown, with the centrally mounted engine a single IR homer can take one 
down. The Marines feel they have enough for the moment and the old AV-8A/Cs are
being slowly mothballed.

>However, let's look at the rest of your scenerio.  Before the
>beachhead is established, only the navy can provide air support.  The
>marine air craft sit on the sidelines and look shiney.  When a beach

Wrong. The Marines will fight along side the Navy on the way in. It is mainly
a difference in training, the marines concetrate on CAS, the Navy on fleet air
defense. The pilots make the difference, not the aircraft.

>head is established, then there are bases that the Air force can fly
>into.  These bases are the very same bases that you would have the
>Marine air force fly into.  So the way I see it, the Marine Air Corps

I'd like to see the AF land at a forward Marine air base. Most of the AF
aircraft could never take the landing forces and sink rates needed to make the 
short rough fields. That's an advantage to flying naval aircraft, they are
built to take a beating.

>>    c. Every Marine Aviator has had some basic training as an infantry
>>officer. This gives Marine pilots a unique perspective and also focuses
>>Marine aviation toward Close Air Support and support of the grunt in
>>the field.
>But what about the poor Army grunts.  They have no Army Air Corps to
>support them.  All they have is the Air Force.  Are they getting
>sub-standard service?

I would say yes. So does the Army, they want their own CAS aircraft. I'd like
to see them get the planes they want. Let the AF handle penatration and air
cover, and let the Army do the CAS. Let the Army have the A-10, or the ARES.

>air force, if it is broken.  I also suggest that once this is done,
>that there remains no reason for the Marines to keep there own air

The problem is getting the aircraft ashore. The Marines fly naval aircraft for
a reason, they can fly from ship to shore and fight their way in. It is much
more complex to arrange for AF tankers etc for the flights, and if you ferry
the aircraft in they won't be carrying weapons, but fuel tanks.

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