Air Combat Element soars during CROC '03
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 10/2/2003
Story by Cpl. M. Stew Allen
CAMP SAMUEL HILL, Queensland, Australia (Oct. 2, 2003) -- In plain view, a poster hangs on the wall of the Command Operations Center defining the intent for the Air Combat Element supporting exercise Crocodile 2003.
The placard read: To deploy Marine Forces Air Combat Element for CROC '03 to support U.S. Marine Forces and Combat Task Force exercise objectives and to be prepared to conduct a full range of aviation assault support, aviation logistics and aviation command and control missions.
While the mission could be written in a paragraph, the execution demanded components of 10 squadrons, six CH-46E "Sea Knights," four AH-1W "Super Cobras," four F/A-18D "Hornets," two UH-1N "Hueys," one KC-130 "Hercules" and the dedication of more than 400 Marines to ensure the ACE's mission for CROC '03 is accomplished.
CROC '03 is an Australian-led, United States-supported air, land, maritime and amphibious operations exercise designed to refine and strengthen U.S./Australian capabilities to plan and execute future combined operations.
"Basically we're here to support the (3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade's) scheme of movement, whether that means helping to shape the battlefield by gathering intelligence or by providing close combat air support," said Capt. John C. Petersen, ACE senior watch officer, Marine Aircraft Group-36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Being able to support 3rd MEB necessitates a wide variety of aviation operations, many being specially tailored to the individual situation, but according to Petersen, some flight missions have been continually practiced throughout the exercise due to their effectiveness in real world operations.
Fixed and rotary wing casting has been a frequent mission throughout CROC '03. The operation consists of a radioman with the Ground Combat Element, calling in coordinates to the aircraft and crew who then zone in on enemy movement for close air fire support.
Maj. Scott Whitaker, ACE operations officer, MAG-36, said training for fixed and rotary wing castings is important because "It's simply, just the way the Marine Corps works."
"Having the (infantrymen) working with aviations support is crucial to conducting a successful mission," he said.
The ACE has also been regularly conducting resupply missions to troops who have patrolled away from the main camp.
"When you're out of (supplies) -- you're out. If these Marines don't have food and water then they can't function. It's important we fully integrate with (3rd MEB)," Whitaker said.
Some operations have been more intricate, using multiple components of the ACE. Entire infantry companies have been inserted and extracted via CH-46 Sea Knights which are being escorted through enemy terrain by AH-1 Cobras.
Both Petersen and Whitaker agree that much of the success of these missions rely on a single concept--teamwork.
"It's absolutely essential," Petersen said. "Teamwork is the most crucial element."
Whitaker believes teamwork is one of the learning highlights of CROC '03.
"The biggest thing we learned is how to work with a new staff," Whitaker said. "We learned we need to conduct training prior to deployment, but unfortunately we couldn't due to operational commitments. I could only see us improving with our next training cycle."
According to Petersen, CROC '03 is an opportunity for the Marines of the ACE to become more comfortable with the working components of a Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of command, air, ground and support elements.
"Back in (Okinawa, Japan), a lot of the Marines don't get to see the ground element or even other parts of the aviation element. This is a good chance for them to get up close and see what's out there. That way, they're more familiar with what to expect and know what to ask for if we're in the same situation again. It's all part of being a MAGTF."
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