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AIRCRAFT
Marine rotary-wing units include Marine
attack helicopter (HMA) squadrons; light (HML),
medium (HMM), and heavy helicopter transport
(HMH) squadrons; and experimental/special
mission helicopter (HMX) squadrons. Marine
fixed-wing units include Marine attack (VMA), all-
weather
attack
(VHA[AW]),
fighter/attack
(VMFA), tactical electronic warfare (VMAQ),
tactical reconnaissance (VMFP), aerial refueler/
transport (VMGR), and observation (VMO)
squadrons.
Marine helicopters include the UH-1N Iroquois,
AH-1T/W Cobra, CH-46 Sea Knight, and CH-53E
Sea Stallion. The Sea Stallion, the largest military
helicopter in the free world, has a lift capability of
more than 32,000 pounds.
Marine fixed-wing aircraft include the F/A-18
Hornet, A-6 Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, AV-8B
Harrier (fig. 14-5), EA-6B Prowler, RF-4 Phantom,
OV-10 Bronco, and the KC-130 Hercules. All
Marine aircraft, except the Hercules, can operate
from aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields
ashore. Helicopters and Harriers can also operate
from amphibious ships.
MARINE CORPS OFFICERS
The Marine Corps has officer procurement
programs similar to those of the Navy. They are
based on provisions of federal statutes as issued by
instructions from the Secretary of the Navy and
the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Candidates
for appointment to a commissioned grade in the
Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve must be
citizens of the United States. They must be
mentally, morally, physically, and professionally
qualified and at least 20 years of age. Naval
aviator candidates must not be over 27½ years of
age, and ground officer (exclusive of limited duty
officer and warrant officer) candidates must not be
over 28 years of age.
NAVAL ACADEMY
The Secretary of the Navy allots to the Regular
Marine Corps each year a quota (16.6 percent at
present) from the current graduating class of the
Naval Academy. Upon graduation, members
whose applications for commission in the Marine
Corp have been approved by the Superintendent of
the Naval Academy fill this quota. Applicants who
were formerly enlisted in the Marine Corps
134.52
Figure 14-5.-The single-engine, single-seat AV-8B Harrier, used for light attack and close air
support for ground forces, executing a vertical takeoff.
14-8
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