Aviation combat element

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In the United States Marine Corps, the aviation combat element or air combat element (ACE) is the air arm of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It provides rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing aircraft, support equipment, pilots, maintenance personnel, as well as command and control assets to the commander. ^[1]

Contents 1 Role within the MAGTF 2 Organization 3 Hierarchy of Marine Aviation units 3.1 1st Marine Aircraft Wing 3.1.1 Marine Aircraft Group 12 3.1.2 Marine Aircraft Group 24 3.1.3 Marine Aircraft Group 36 3.1.4 Marine Air Control Group 18 3.1.5 Marine Wing Support Group 17 3.2 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing 3.2.1 Marine Aircraft Group 14 3.2.2 Marine Aircraft Group 26 3.2.3 Marine Aircraft Group 29 3.2.4 Marine Aircraft Group 31 3.2.5 Marine Air Control Group 28 3.2.6 Marine Wing Support Group 27 3.3 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing 3.3.1 Marine Aircraft Group 11 3.3.2 Marine Aircraft Group 13 3.3.3 Marine Aircraft Group 16 3.3.4 Marine Air Control Group 38 3.3.5 Marine Wing Support Group 37 3.4 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 3.4.1 Marine Aircraft Group 41 3.4.2 Marine Aircraft Group 42 3.4.3 Marine Aircraft Group 46 3.4.4 Marine Aircraft Group 49 3.4.5 Marine Air Control Group 48 3.4.6 Marine Wing Support Group 47 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Role within the MAGTF

The majority of aircraft usage within the MAGTF is for close air support or transport for the ground combat element (GCE) or logistics 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.^[2]

[edit] 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. A Marine Expeditionary Brigade holds a Marine Aircraft Group or MAG, reinforced with a variety of aircraft squadrons and support personnel. The various Marine Expeditionary Units 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 to III MEF and I MEF, respectively, while all other equivalent units numerical designators match the MEF to which attached.

[edit] Hierarchy of Marine Aviation units

[edit]

1st Marine Aircraft Wing

ACE of III Marine Expeditionary Force

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1		America's Finest

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 12

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12		Marauders
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 212		Lancers

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 24

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24		Warriors
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362		Ugly Angels
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363		Red Lions
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463		Pegasus

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 36

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36		Bladerunner
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262		Flying Tiger
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265		Dragons
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152		Sumos
UDP squadrons from II and III MEFs

[edit] Marine Air Control Group 18

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18
Marine Air Control Squadron 4
Marine Air Support Squadron 2
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18

[edit] Marine Wing Support Group 17

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Support Squadron 171		America's Squadron
Marine Wing Support Squadron 172		Firebirds

[edit]

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

ACE of II Marine Expeditionary Force

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2		Snake Eyes The Deuce

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 14

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14		Dragons
Marine Attack Squadron 223		Bulldogs
Marine Attack Squadron 231		Ace of Spades
Marine Attack Squadron 542		Tigers
Marine Attack Training Squadron 203		Hawks
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1		Banshee
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2		Jesters
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3		Moon Dogs
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4		Seahawks
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252		Otis

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 26

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26		Patriots
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167		Warriors
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461		Ironhorse
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464		Condors
Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302		Pheonix
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261		Raging Bulls
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264		Black Knights
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266		Fighting Griffins
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204		Raptors

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 29

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29		Wolverines
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269		Gunrunners
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365		Blue Knights
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162		Golden Eagles
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263		Thunder Chicken

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 31

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31		Stingers
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115		Silver Eagles
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122		Crusaders
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251		Thunderbolts
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312		Checkerboards
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224		Bengals
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533		Hawks

[edit] Marine Air Control Group 28

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28
Marine Air Control Squadron 2		Eyes of the MAGTF
Marine Air Support Squadron 1		Nomads
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28		Spartans
2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion		Death from Below
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2		Night Owls

[edit] Marine Wing Support Group 27

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Support Squadron 271		Workhorse of the Wing
Marine Wing Support Squadron 272		Untouchables
Marine Wing Support Squadron 273		Sweathogs
Marine Wing Support Squadron 274		Ironmen

[edit]

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

ACE of I Marine Expeditionary Force

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 11

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11		Devilfish
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232		Red Devils
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314		Black Knights
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323		Death Rattlers
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121		Green Knights
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225		Vikings
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242		Bats
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101		Sharpshooters
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352		Raiders

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 13

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13		Black Widows
Marine Attack Squadron 211		Wake Island Avengers
Marine Attack Squadron 214		Black Sheep
Marine Attack Squadron 311		Tomcats
Marine Attack Squadron 513		Flying Nightmares

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 16

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16		Forerunners
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161		Greyhawks
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163		Ridge Runners
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165		White Knights
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166		Sea Elk
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361		Flying Tigers
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462		Heavy Haulers
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465		Warhorse
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466		Wolfpack

[edit] Marine Air Control Group 38

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38
Marine Air Control Squadron 1		Falconers
Marine Air Support Squadron 3		Blacklist
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38
3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion		Stingers
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1		Watchdogs

[edit] Marine Wing Support Group 37

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Support Squadron 371		Sand Sharks
Marine Wing Support Squadron 372		Diamondbacks
Marine Wing Support Squadron 373		Ace Support
Marine Wing Support Squadron 374		Rhinos

[edit]

4th Marine Aircraft Wing

ACE of Marine Forces Reserve

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
4th Marine Aircraft Wing Training Support Group

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 41

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 41		Wranglers
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112		Cowboys
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234		Rangers

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 42

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 42		War Hammers
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142		Flying Gators
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773		Red Dogs
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774		Wild Goose

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 46

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 46
Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401		Snipers
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775		Coyotes
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764		Moonlight
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 769		Titan

[edit] Marine Aircraft Group 49

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49		Magicians
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772		Hustler
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452		Yankees

[edit] Marine Air Control Group 48

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48
Marine Air Control Squadron 23
Marine Air Control Squadron 24
Marine Air Support Squadron 6		Lighthouse
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48		Roar'

[edit] Marine Wing Support Group 47

Battalion Name	Insignia	Nickname
Marine Wing Support Squadron 471
Marine Wing Support Squadron 472		Dragons
Marine Wing Support Squadron 473

[edit] See also

• 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

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[edit] References