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may direct."   Accordingly, the Marine Corps organizes, equips,
trains, and provides to unified commanders for employment forces
of combined arms,  together with organic supporting air compo-
nents, called MAGTFs.

e.   The underpinnings of Air Force doctrine support a focus on an
overarching air battle with a subset thereof, the provision of
close air support to maneuvering land battle formations.   Air
Force doctrine emphasizes centralized control "...under a single
air commander who directs the employment of forces at a level of
command from which the overall air situation can best be judged."
This level of authority and responsibility rests with "...the air
component commander in unified or combined commands." Centralized
management of all air assets enables the commander to shift the
weight of air power throughout the entire theater.   Tactical air
assets--of whatever Service component--are held to be national
assets to be placed under centralized management.

f.   There are other philosophical differences and it should be
noted that these differences are necessary and correct based on
Service missions and roles assigned by law.

   (1)  The basic orientation of the two Services differs
notably.

        (a)  For the Air Force, the air battle takes precedence.
The consolidation of air assets,  functionally, was its justifica-
tion for independence from the U.S. Army in 1947.   The Air Force
since its inception has based centralized management at the thea-
ter level on operations research showing that management-oriented
efficiency (single manager for air) provides better general sup-
port.

        (b)  The Marine Corps considers organic MAGTF aviation as
a supporting arm in operations where the ground battle is para-
mount.   Marine aviation is organized, trained, and equipped to be
the aviation combat element (ACE)  of a MAGTF that is immediately
responsive to the needs of the Marine ground combat element (GCE)
commander.   The integrated employment of MAGTF aviation is
designed to offset and augment the Marine GCE commander's
relatively light organic fire support.   The directly available,
short response time criteria for aviation employment makes it an
acceptable alternative to artillery or naval gunfire.    The con-
cept that "speed is life" is one which infantry officers and
pilots alike understand well.

   (2)  Another point at issue is how the battlefield is
developed.

        (a)  Air Force operators and planners tend to view the
battlefield "horizontally" on the premise that all aircraft with
certain characteristics (e.g.,  speed, range, and flexibility)  or

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