- Aviation combat element
In the
United States Marine Corps , the aviation combat element or air combat element (ACE) is the air arm of theMarine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It provides rotary-wing,tiltrotor , and fixed-wingaircraft , support equipment, pilots, maintenance personnel, as well as command and control assets to the commander. [ [http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/AVN/ Marine Aviation homepage] ] __TOC__Role within the MAGTF
The majority of aircraft usage within the MAGTF is for
close air support or transport for theground combat element (GCE) orlogistics combat element (LCE), however, other specialized missions are available. The six main functions include:assault support , anti-air warfare, offensive air support,electronic warfare , control of aircraft and missiles, and aerial reconnaissance. [cite web
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title = MAWTS-1 hones warfighting edge
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publisher = Naval Aviation News
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url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IAX/is_6_84/ai_94262327
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accessdate = 2007-04-01]Organization
The size of the ACE varies in proportion to the size of the MAGTF. A
Marine Expeditionary Force has a Marine Aircraft Wing or MAW. AMarine Expeditionary Brigade holds a Marine Aircraft Group or MAG, reinforced with a variety of aircraft squadrons and support personnel. The variousMarine Expeditionary Unit s command a reinforced squadron, with various types of aircraft mixed into a single unit (known as a "composite squadron").Generally, MEF postings are permanent, while MEBs and MEUs rotate their ACE, GCE, and LCE twice annually. 1st and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings are unique in that they are subordinate toIII MEF andI MEF , respectively, while all other equivalent units numerical designators match the MEF to which attached.Hierarchy of Marine Aviation units
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
ACE ofIII Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Aircraft Group 36 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
ACE ofII Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Aircraft Group 29 Marine Wing Support Group 27 Marine Aircraft Group 13 Marine Air Control Group 38 Marine Aircraft Group 41 Marine Aircraft Group 49 ee also
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Marine Air-Ground Task Force
*United States Marine Corps Aviation
*List of United States Marine Corps aircraft wings
*List of United States Marine Corps aircraft groups
*List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
*List of inactive United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
*List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units References
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