Contract Civilian Maintenance Support in U.S. Marine F/A-18 Fleet Squadrons
Abstract
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have taken a fairly significant toll on U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 aircraft. Due to the increased operational tempo, F/A-18 aircraft have been flown at a rate far beyond what was predicted. As Brigadier General Robert Walsh, the former assistant deputy commandant for aviation stated, "In Iraq right now, we are flying our F/A- 18Ds more than 100 hours per month - three to four times their normal utilization rate." This tempo has caused a significant decrease in the readiness of the aircraft and, thus, with unavailable aircraft has degraded the training and, hence, readiness of the F/A-18 aircrew. U.S. Marines will continue to utilize F/A-18 aircraft in the current and future conflicts for close air support (CAS) to maximize the combined arms capability of the Marine air ground task force (MAGTF) until it is replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in 2012. The loss of training poses a serious threat to both marines on the ground and the aircrew flying the aircraft because the number of trained personnel assigned to Marine F/A-18 squadrons is inadequate to support the workload required to maintain an aging aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA517775
Entities
People
- C. P. Ferrer
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command