personnel qualification standard (pqs) - I Marine Expeditionary ...

105 Air Combat Element (ACE)
each function of Marine aviation. The six functions of Marine aviation are described in
the following paragraphs.
Offensive Air Support
OAS is “air operations conducted against enemy installations, facilities, and
personnel to directly assist the attainment of MAGTF objectives by the
destruction of enemy resources or the isolation of his military force.” . OAS
includes the categories of close air support (CAS) and deep air support (DAS).
CAS
CAS is “air action by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets
which are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed
integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those
forces.”
DAS
DAS is “air action against enemy targets at such a distance from friendly
forces that detailed integration of each mission with fire and movement of
friendly forces is not required. Deep air support missions are flown on
either side of the fire support coordination line; the lack of a requirement
for close coordination with the fire and movement of friendly forces is the
qualifying factor.” DAS missions include strike coordination, air
interdiction, and armed reconnaissance.
Antiair Warfare
AAW is “that action required to destroy or reduce to an acceptable level the
enemy air and missile threat. It includes such measures as the use of interceptors,
bombers, antiair-craft guns, surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, electronic attack,
and destruction of the air or missile threat both before and after it is launched.
Other measures which are taken to minimize the effects of hostile air action are
cover, concealment, dispersion, deception (including electronic), and mobility.”
(Joint Pub 1-02) The primary purpose of AAW is to gain and maintain some
degree of air superiority. AAW includes both offensive and defensive means to
accomplish its objective.
Offensive AAW
Offensive AAW constitutes operations conducted against the enemy air or
air defense system before it can be launched or assume an attacking role.
Offensive AAW operations in or near the objective area consist mainly of
air attacks to destroy or neutralize hostile aircraft, airfields, radars, air
defense systems, and supporting areas. Offensive AAW includes theater
missile defense (TMD) attack operations and suppression of enemy air
defense operations.
105-2