Wing Main
The wing main serves as the principal HQ for the wing commander. Like the MEF and division main, most principal staff members are located in the wing main where future planning is done. The
wing rear area operations center is often collo- cated with the wing main. Unlike the MEF and division main, however, the wing main may be located outside the MEF AO. The wing com- mander often locates the wing main at a large air- field, especially if this airfield houses most of the wing’s fixed-wing aircraft. Wing future and cur- rent operations functions occur within the Marine TACC, which may or may not be collocated with the wing main.
Marine Tactical Air Command Center
The mission of the Marine TACC is to function as the senior MAGTF air C2 agency and to serve as the command post for the ACE commander. The Marine TACC provides the facility from which the ACE commander and battle staff plan, supervise, coordinate, and execute all current and future MAGTF air operations, including the plan- ning and execution of the current ACE operation or FRAGO. The Marine TACC will be organized with a battle staff consisting of four mutually supporting organizations:
• Air combat intelligence—responsible to the ACE G-2 for producing and disseminating aviation-tailored, all-source intelligence req- uired for decisionmaking during the planning and execution of MAGTF air operations.
• Future plans—responsible to ACE G-3 for aviation planning in support of the next MEF mission change.
• Future operations—responsible to ACE G-3 for developing MAGTF future air tasking orders, writing of the OPORD/FRAGO for the next ACE mission change, and for conducting current planning.
• Current operations—the current operations officer is in charge of the current operations section and is responsible to the ACE G-3 for the overall combat operations of the ACE to include execution and assessment of the current air tasking order.
Aviation combat intelligence is imbedded within the Marine TACC. Timely, tailored, and fused intelligence is integral to the functioning of future plans, future operations, and current operations. Aviation combat intelligence is the focus of all aviation intelligence activities supporting the ACE. It produces and disseminates aviation-spe- cific, all-source intelligence, including assess- m e n t s o f a d v e r s a r y c a p a b i l i t i e s a n d vulnerabilities, target analysis, battle damage assessment, and the current status and priority of assigned targets to assist in execution day changes. The Marine TACC uses specialized information systems and equipment to display a common operational picture of the aviation situa- tion received from tactical digital information links. Each Marine aviation function—AAW, assault support, EW, air reconnaissance, offensive air support, and control of aircraft and missiles— provides representation to the Marine TACC.
Tactical Air Operations Center
The TAOC is the principal air defense agency that conducts real-time surveillance and positive aircraft control of its assigned airspace within the MACCS. The TAOC normally deploys as a part of the MACCS within the MAGTF, but, if the mission dictates, it may deploy independently or as part of a combined or joint force. Personnel and equipment are provided by the Marine air control squadron.
Through radar inputs from its organic sensors and data link information from other military radar units, the TAOC provides real-time surveillance of assigned airspace in addition to air direction, positive aircraft control, and navigational assis- tance to friendly aircraft. Its primary function, to conduct and coordinate AAW, is accomplished through the direction, coordination, and employ- ment of various air defense weapons systems that include interceptor aircraft and ground-based air defense weapons.
Marine Air Traffic Control Detachment
The MATCD provides friendly aircraft with contin- uous all-weather radar/nonradar approach, depar- ture, tower, and en route air traffic control (ATC) services within assigned controlled airspace. It is the primary terminal air control agency within the MACCS. The MATCD is organized and equipped to satisfy the ATC requirements for virtually any type of forward operating base.
Low Altitude Air Defense Battery Command Post
The LAAD battalion, usually collocated with the TAOC, establishes a COC for the exercise of battalion operations. The LAAD battalion com- mander exercises overall command and control of LAAD battalion operations from the COC. The commander obtains and relays intelligence and combat information on friendly and enemy operations to the two subordinate LAAD battery COCs. The LAAD battery COCs maintain situa- tional awareness of MAGTF and other air opera- tions and plan and control employment of LAAD teams.
Direct Air Support Center
The DASC is equipped and operated by the Marine air support squadron. Typically the first major air control agency landed ashore during an amphibious operation, the DASC normally lands in the same serial as the senior GCE FSCC. The DASC processes immediate air support requests; coordinates aircraft employment with other sup- porting arms; manages terminal control assets supporting GCE and LCE forces; and controls assigned aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and itinerant aircraft transiting through DASC-con- trolled airspace. The DASC, when practical, physically collocates with the GCE’s senior FSCC. An electronic link may be an acceptable alternative in situations where DASC siting requirements differ from FSCC requirements.
Airborne Coordinators/Controllers
Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne)
A tactical air coordinator (airborne) (TAC[A]) is an officer who, from an aircraft, coordinates the actions of combat aircraft engaged in close sup- port of ground or sea forces. Within the MACCS, the TAC(A) is a naval aviator or naval flight officer. The TAC(A) is the senior air coordinator and has air authority over all aircraft operating in an assigned area. The TAC(A)’s primary mission is to act as an airborne extension of the DASC, Marine TACC, or FSCC. The TAC(A) helps to coordinate TACPs, forward air controllers (air- borne) (FAC[A]s), and the fire direction of artil- lery and NGF.
Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
A FAC(A) is a specifically trained and qualified aviation officer who, from the air, exercises con- trol of aircraft engaged in close air support of ground troops. The FAC(A) is normally an air- borne extension of the TACP. Within the Marine Corps, the FAC(A) is a naval aviator or flight officer who is specifically trained, qualified, and designated to perform air reconnaissance and sur- veillance, conduct terminal control of aircraft engaged in offensive air support operations, con- trol artillery and naval surface fire support mis- sions, act as a radio relay, and control landing zone operations.
Assault Support Coordinator (Airborne)
An assault support coordinator (airborne) (ASC[A]) is an aviator who, from an aircraft, coordinates the movement of aviation assets dur- ing assault support operations. The ASC(A) is an experienced aviator with extensive knowledge of the MACCS who acts as an airborne extension of the DASC. This individual assists in providing situational awareness to the assault force, relays requests to the DASC, exercises launch authority for immediate and on-call missions, coordinates with the TAC(A), and provides routing recom- mendations to the air mission commander.
Airborne strike coordination and reconnaissance is a means to efficiently focus aviation fires in the deep area of the battlespace. This function, usu- ally performed by an F/A-18 aircrew, allows real- time reconnaissance to locate the MEF com- mander’s high-priority targets. Once located, the strike coordination and reconnaissance aircrew control attack aircraft in much the same manner as a tactical air coordinator: by cycling and deconflicting multiple strike packages as they ingress to the target area. Using an aircrew to extend the C2 system allows them to position themselves to effectively control multiple air- craft missions while maintaining communication with the aircraft they control and ground-based C2 facilities.