JCT

One of the reasons that the USMC is so passionate about maintaining its own air assets comes from the Battle of Guadalcanal (WWII) and its lessons are taught in boot camp and at OCS. Shortly after the Marines landed, the Navy pulled out with all of their warships and supply transports, leaving the Marines without air cover and without sufficient supplies. Marine air (along w/ some Army & Navy squadrons) was flown in shortly thereafter and provided the majority of the air support and air cover over Guadalcanal.

Marine air focuses heavily on near CAS, supporting the troops directly (vice Air Force CAS which was more of an interdiction type CAS – but that’s another thread). All Marine pilots go through The Basic School where they learn basic rifle platoon commander skills, so they have a good understanding of the ground fight and can apply that when they fly CAS missions. In addition, common doctrine and techniques makes close support more accurate and easier. (Yes, all the Services should have the same rule book when it comes to CAS, but it hasn’t happened yet.) Marine fixed-wing air is not completely focused on CAS, but also air superiority. Rotary wing assets provide CAS, troop transport, and supply among their many missions.


During GW I, the USMC strongly resisted lumping Marine aviation assets into a common pool, Marine air supported the Marines on the ground.


The Navy has only so many carriers to base its aircraft. If the Navy loses a carrier, it loses its associated Air Wing also. If Marine air were absorbed by the Navy, it would be reduced in size and scope and eventually would be cut by lawmakers; why have extra Air Wings when you do not have the carriers to move them around? While not bad at CAS, the Navy does not focus on it as much as the Marine Corps.