Aviation Combat Element (ACE)
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Aviation Combat Element (ACE) The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) is the air component assigned to a United States Marine Corps Marine Air-Ground Task Force or similar expeditionary formation, integrating rotary-wing, fixed-wing, tiltrotor, unmanned, and support aviation capabilities. The ACE provides offensive air support, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and command and control to support operations across littoral, expeditionary, and joint environments. It interacts routinely with organizations such as United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Army, and multinational partners like North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Combined Joint Task Force headquarters.
Overview
The ACE functions as the aviation arm of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and is scalable from squadron level to a Marine Aircraft Wing sized force such as 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, or 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. It integrates capabilities represented by units like Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, Marine Aircraft Group, and carrier-capable squadrons such as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312. In joint operations the ACE often coordinates with commands like United States Central Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and coalition partners in operations following doctrines influenced by publications like the Joint Publication 3-0 and procedures used in exercises such as RIMPAC.
Organization and Composition
An ACE is organized around a mix of squadrons and support elements drawn from formations like Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air Control Group. Typical components include fixed-wing squadrons such as VMFA units, rotary-wing squadrons such as HMLA units, tiltrotor squadrons like VMM units, unmanned systems squadrons, and logistics and maintenance units exemplified by Aviation Logistics Squadron organizations. Command and control is provided through elements comparable to Marine Air Command and Control System nodes, using staff structures familiar to commanders from II Marine Expeditionary Force and coordination with maritime services such as United States Sixth Fleet.
Roles and Mission
The ACE provides offensive air support, assault support, electronic warfare, control of aircraft and missiles, aerial reconnaissance, and air logistics for formations operating in contexts such as amphibious landings like Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and contingency operations in regions covered by European Command and Africa Command. It executes missions including close air support for ground units such as 1st Marine Division and 2nd Marine Division, anti-air operations in coordination with assets like Aegis Combat System, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations akin to responses after Hurricane Katrina.
Aircraft and Equipment
Aircraft commonly assigned include fixed-wing fighters and attack jets exemplified by F/A-18 Hornet and F-35 Lightning II, tiltrotor platforms like the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, rotary-wing platforms such as the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, transport aircraft comparable to KC-130 Hercules, and unmanned aerial systems similar to RQ-7 Shadow and larger systems used in coordination with USAF MQ-9 Reaper operations. Supporting equipment and systems include avionics suites used on platforms like AN/APG-81, weapons like AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-114 Hellfire, and logistics systems interoperable with Military Sealift Command and airlift provided by Air Mobility Command.
Operations and Deployment
ACE deployments range from expeditionary basing aboard amphibious assault ships such as USS Wasp (LHD-1) and USS America (LHA-6) to shore-based expeditionary airfields and temporary forward operating sites similar to those used in Operation Desert Storm. They have supported combat operations in theaters associated with campaigns like the Global War on Terrorism and multinational operations under United Nations mandates. Integration with naval operations includes carrier strike group coordination with units like USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and amphibious ready groups in exercises such as BALTOPS.
Training and Readiness
ACE training regimes draw on institutions and events including Naval Aviation Schools Command, Marine Corps University, Air Combat Maneuvering training at locations like Miramar, and large-scale exercises such as Red Flag, Green Flag, and Exercise Cobra Gold. Readiness metrics align with standards used by Combatant Commanders and oversight from establishments such as Congressional Armed Services Committees, with pre-deployment workups modeled on programs like the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Integrated Exercise.
History and Development
The ACE concept evolved from early Marine Corps aviation efforts in the interwar period, influenced by figures and organizations such as Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell debates and institutional advocacy by leaders associated with the Marine Corps Aviation community. It matured through amphibious operations in World War II and operational lessons from conflicts including the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 campaigns such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Technological shifts including the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II program, tiltrotor adoption influenced by Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey development, and the rise of unmanned systems have shaped doctrine and force structure, paralleling evolutionary trends in allied services like Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force modernization efforts.