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<a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette">www.mca-marines.org/gazette</a> 33 M a r i n e C o r p s G a z e t t e • M a y 2 0 0 9 key billets, such as operations, main- tenance, and executive officer, to maintain competitiveness for com- mand and promotion. As the Marine Corps fields more capable UASs— armed and unarmed—there will be an increasing requirement for avia- tion officer experience in these units. Additionally, as the UAS targeting ca- pabilities and communications suites expand, Marines possessing an under- standing of the MAGTF fires will be indispensable. Currently, UAS mis- sion commanders are being trained on Type II/III CAS, artillery integra- tion, and fire support coordination functions. JTAC functions are immi- nent, particularly as technology ad- vances enable the ability to do Type I control via the concept of the “elec- tronic mark.” This option fits into the UAS and Marine air control group highest priority issue of creating a professional UAS military occupa- tional specialty (MOS) and career track for officers and enlisted person- nel. • Offer WSO transitions to the EA–6B Prowler. This will potentially enable the Prowler community to perform more multimission capabili- ties like FAC(A)/TAC(A). The LITENING forward-looking in- frared targeting pod is currently being integrated on the EA–6B. This unique combination of hardware im- provements and FAC(A) experience, combined with the aircraft’s signifi- cant capability in the electromagnetic spectrum, will enable the Prowler to perform a multimission capability significantly enhancing its contribu- tion to the C2 of air in support of ground maneuver. • Establish WSO foreign exchange programs to our coalition partners who currently possess or are develop- ing two-seat FAC(A) programs. There are a number of nations that have two-seat aircraft and are training to the FAC(A) mission or establishing the mission of FAC(A) specifically for two-seat fighters. Marine FAC(A) qualified WSOs operating as ex- change officers would enable these nations to improve and/or institute FAC(A) programs in line with the Marine Corps model enabling a more consistent and standardized coalition FAC(A). • Offer WSOs inter-Service transfers to the Navy (FA–18F) and to the USAF (F–15E). • Transition WSOs to groundbased F–35 MOSs, such as mission execu- tion specialists responsible for realtime “second crew member” functions leveraging the enhanced networking and communications capability of the F–35. The increased capability of the F–35 will demand some task shedding for the single-seat pilot, and an off- board crew member capable of observ- ing pilot actions and F–35 sensors and systems in realtime may help share task loading enabling the F–35 pilot and aircraft to perform at full potential. • Consider procurement of the AT–6B to provide an irregular warfare FAC(A) capability that is the equiva- lent of the mine resistant ambush pro- tected vehicle—a cheap single- purpose aircraft that is a throwaway after the war. The USAF is consider- ing buying light single-engine aircraft for the current conflicts to fill the FAC(A) mission requirements. The Marine F/A–18 community is stretched thin logistically in order to meet the planned production timeline for the F–35 and support current com- mitments. Any delays in the F–35B pro- duction and fielding will further exacer- bate the critical F/A–18D airframe flight hour and fatigue life expended limits and present challenges in managing the WSO population as long as the F/A–18D is still in the Operating Forces. Forming composite F/A–18 C/D squadrons of the landbased F/A–18C and F/A–18D squadrons makes sense logisticially while providing increased ca- pability to maneuver commanders. The ideas provided herein should not be considered an all or nothing ap- proach; they should be considered as ideas that continue to maximize the unique contributions of the F/A–18D and the two-seat crew until the F–35 and its advanced technology is ready to support the MAGTF. Even adopting just one or two ideas would be better than waiting until it’s too late to effec- tively transition WSOs into alternative career fields. The F/A–18 community is stretched thin logistically. (Photo courtesy of the author.) Agree or Disagree? Join the discussion a<a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/Roberts">t www.mca-</a> <a href="http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/Roberts">marines.org/gazette/Roberts.</a> Join the Debate
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