Accession Number:

ADA505443

Title:

FA18 Training and Readiness

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLL QUANTICO VA

Personal Author(s):

• Thomas, Jr, Harry

Report Date:

2006-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

15.0

Abstract:

The peacetime soldiers principal task is to prepare effectively for the next war. Consequently, he must anticipate the characteristics of the next war and conduct training applicable to future missions. This daunting task is made even more difficult when a force, such as the Marine Corps FA-18 Hornet community, is capable of performing a multitude of missions. FA-18 squadrons arguably perform the widest spectrum of missions among the Marine Air Ground Task Forces MAGTF Air Combat Element ACE. Many argue that as a result of the myriad of missions Hornet squadrons are required to prepare for, training programs for Hornet squadrons are stretched too thin. If so, then the correlation can be made that FA-18 pilots are inadequately prepared to support the MAGTF commander. However, careful examination of Marine Fighter Attack VMFA squadron mission statements, integrated Ground Combat Element GCEACE exercises, and VMFA training methodologies illustrate that, despite their diverse missions, the Marine Corps FA-18 squadrons enhance the MAGTF commanders warfighting options through focused, core capabilities-based training.

Descriptors:

• *FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
• *MULTIMISSION
• *COMBAT READINESS
• *MARINE CORPS TRAINING
• *SQUADRONS
• *MARINE CORPS AVIATION
• *PILOTS
• *MILITARY CAPABILITIES
• AIR LAND BATTLES
• AIR TO AIR
• FIRE SUPPORT
• TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE
• TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT
• AIR TO SURFACE
• AERIAL WARFARE
• INTERDICTION
• FLIGHT TRAINING

Subject Categories:

• Attack and Fighter Aircraft
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE