aviation combat element

The core element of a Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) that is task-organized to conduct aviation operations. The aviation combat element (ACE) provides all or a portion of the six functions of Marine aviation necessary to accomplish the MAGTF's mission. These functions are antiair warfare, offensive air support, assault support, electronic warfare, air reconnaissance, and control of aircraft and missiles. The ACE is usually composed of an aviation unit headquarters and various other aviation units or their detachments. It can vary in size from a small aviation detachment of specifically required aircraft to one or more Marine aircraft wings. The ACE itself is not a formal command. Also called ACE. See also combat service support element; command element; ground combat element; Marine air-ground task force; Marine expeditionary force; Marine expeditionary force (forward); Marine expeditionary unit; special purpose Marine air-ground task force; task force.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

(29.) Author's experience as flight lead during Anaconda with AH-1W detachment from HMM-166, the aviation combat element for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, attached to the 10th Mountain Division, 4-26 March 2002.

Cleared to engage: improving the effectiveness of joint close air support

(11) The concept of operations for this tactical en route care system is to place it in the aviation combat element for staging at forward operating bases (and/or the sea base):

Health service support from the sea base

Conflicts are resolved quickly through both MAGTF force fires and aviation combat elements to ensure that priorities set by commanders are executed.

MAGTF area of operations: turf war or doctrinal necessity?

The Harriers are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166, the aviation combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked in the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

Naval Aviation Forces now striking ISIL from two theaters as USS boxer Harriers join fight

Whenever a Marine force is deployed, it brings an integrated capability comprised of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE), the Ground Combat Element (GCE) and the Logistics Combat Element (LCE).

Marine Corps contingency contracting and the Navy Supply Corps

John Giscard, head of the aviation combat element branch of the Marine Corps' Warfighting Lab.

Marines refine tactics for unmanned aircraft

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) aviation combat element on 24 June in the East China Sea.

People-places-planes

As such, they have been actively engaged in reviewing the logistics replenishment plan for the USS Essex (LHD 2), establishing NALO flights to support all Essex patrols and revamping the aviation readiness milestone program in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Aviation Combat Element (ACE).

Aviation logistics in the Western Pacific ... and beyond!

It will lead the way ashore, disabling information nodes and grids, set up the rest of the aviation combat element for cold landing zones, and provide a complete picture of what infantry forces will face.

Winning the fight today--and tomorrow

The rock-solid, previously nonexistent MARLOG procedures implemented by the Peleliu Beach Detachment enabled the ship to provide phenomenal distance-support to the embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit Aviation Combat Element when it deployed on short notice to Kuwait in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

USS Peleliu Beach Det standardizes deployment logistics processes

The next day, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) reformed the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with HMH-461 as the aviation combat element and ordered an immediate deployment to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The big one: Naval Aviation brings relief to earthquake-ravaged Haiti

Normally, forward deployed MALS support is executed by a detachment rotating aboard an Amphibious Readiness Group in support of a Marine Expeditionary Unit's Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and the MALS functions to provide supply support from its home site.

T-AVB operations in support of the global war on terrorism