The Operational Reserve Carrier: A Timeshare Co-Operative Opportunity for Marine TACAIR and the Naval Reserve Carrier Air Wing
2006
Nagelin, Jr, Thomas F.
At H-hour on D-day, when it is time for the 'grunts' to 'kick in the door' with an amphibious assault, USMC Tactical Aviation (TacAir) must be in position, ready to counter enemy air and provide Close Air Support (CAS). While the Corps TacAir awaits the securing of a Naval Expeditionary Air Field (NEAF) or other such battlefield-proximate airfield ashore, they must in the interim, have an effective base from which to operate. Friendly air bases too distant from the ground forces adversely impact the Corps CAS effectiveness. The Corps' TacAir must have a carrier deck, within the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), from which to operate from during an operations early phase. The USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) is slated for service as an Operational Reserve Carrier (ORC). She is an existing asset, certain to have ample availability and capability beyond the Naval Air Reserve and Training Command missions. 'Double hatting' CV-67 in a dual role, serving both USMC and USNR TacAir, would double her contribution to defense and in so doing, satisfy a sorely needed capability not available from any other source. During peacetime, the ORC would serve the training needs of bath USMC and USNR TacAir as well as fulfill various other assignments. During crisis, the ORC would transport, support, and operate USMC TacAir as an integral part of a Marine AV-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The TacAir portion of the USMC air Combat Element (ACE) would operates from CV-67 until the opportunity would allow the ACE to disembark to a captured airfield or established NEAF. Meanwhile, if mobilized, the USNR Air Wing would prepare for deployment. CV-67 would then embark the USNR Air Wing and redeploy as tasked.
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