Marine Aviation

USAFA2019DAD

JJB6596
5-Year Member
Joined
May 30, 2010
Messages
12
Can someone tell me what types of aircraft a Marine pilot flys? Generally where they are stationed, etc? I'm not familiar with Marine pilots. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Well, the primary purpose of the US Navy's Army's Air Force (he says with a wink :wink:, waiting for the spears thrown back his way in reply :biggrin:) is to support their fellow Marines on the ground. Two primary types for that: attack helos (mostly Cobras), and fast jets (Harriers and F-18 Hornets). Taking it from your moniker that if your son/daughter really is that far out from graduating from one of the Academies, if he/she was to choose Marine aviation after the USNA, they would have the chance to be flying F-35s instead of the Harriers (the Marines will have replaced ALL of their Harriers by then, and quite a few of their Hornets).

As to locations? For fast jets: MCAS Cherry Point (outer banks NC) is their primary East Coast air station, El Toro, CA and Yuma, AZ as their West Coast bases, and Okinawa in the Pacific. BUt mostly realize they also deploy with the Navy Carrier Groups. Helos not so sure about, but a quick wiki search will help you there.

Best of luck to your son/daughter. Let them know if they go this route, they consider themselves Marines first, flyers a distant second (and there ain't a dang thing wrong with that! :thumb:)
 
El Toro

Bullet,

El Toro closed in 1999. Everything moved to Miramar. I know because my sister-in-law moved along with the jets.

Stealth_81
 
I stand corrected. That's what happens when a retired AF guy answers a question about the Navy's Army's Air Force.... :shake:
 
Bullet and Stealth 81:

Thanks for the quick responses. Do you know how many Mids in each class get Marine aviation spots? I would assume most go to carriers.
 
Marine Air

:

Thanks for the quick responses. Do you know how many Mids in each class get Marine aviation spots? I would assume most go to carriers.[/QUOTE]

I've heard a fair amount go to Helos. But first comes TBS. When Naval Aviators punch out they rescue them, when a Marine jumps out they hand him a rifle! :biggrin:
 
Types of aircraft:


Jets (F/A-18,AV-8B, EA-6B)

KC-130

Tilt-Rotor (MV-22)

Helos (AH-1, UH-1, CH-53, CH-46, also later on if their special H-3/H-60 for the President)



Bases:

Cherry Point (NC), New River (NC), Camp Pendleton (CA), Miramar (CA), Kanehoe (HI), Okinawa.

Some other places. I'm not Marines (Navy), but should be slightly more up to date than Bullet's info.
 
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