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Soldiers

Marine Corps Establishes Tactical Air Operations Center in Japan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As part of the quarterly Local Operational Readiness Exercise of the 18th Wing, U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps established a tactical air operations center at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on October 24. The TAOC was set up to support joint operations with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army, demonstrating the Marine Corps' ability to integrate with other branches of the military. The exercise aimed to promote cohesion and interoperability between different units, with the Marine Corps leveraging its data link communications capabilities to network multiple surveillance and air defense radars throughout Okinawa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marine Corps established a tactical air operations center at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan on October 24.
  • The TAOC was set up to support the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army during the quarterly Local Operational Readiness Exercise of the 18th Wing, U.S. Air Force, October 26-28.
  • The exercise involved the integration of Marine Corps' air controllers, Army Air Defense Artillery's control officers, and Air Force air controllers, using Marine aviation command and control equipment.
  • The TAOC utilized a range of surveillance and air defense radars, including the AN/TPS-59 radar, airborne warning and control system, early warning radar, and Patriot radar sets.
  • The Marine Corps' and Air Force controllers demonstrated joint interoperability by providing air control to multiple Air Force F-15s daily during the exercise.
  • Master Sgt. Troy B. Williams, the TAOC detachment staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of MACS-4, stated that this exercise was a valuable experience for the Marines, as they integrated their personnel and equipment into the exercise for the first time.

Statistics:

  • October 24: Date the TIAC was established at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.
  • October 26-28: Dates of the quarterly Local Operational Readiness Exercise of the 18th Wing, U.S. Air Force.
  • 2 tactical air operations modules: Comprising the TAOC, each module was equipped with radar and communications systems.
  • 1 AN/TPS-59 long-range surveillance radar: Utilized by the Marine Corps to provide air surveillance and ballistic missile detection capabilities.
  • 1 air defense communications platform: Integrated with the sector anti-air warfare facility to provide comprehensive air defense.

Sources:

  • U.S. Marine Corps, "Marine Corps Establishes Tactical Air Operations Center at Kadena Air Base"
  • Military.com, "US Marine Corps Establishes Tactical Air Operations Center at Kadena Air Base"
  • Official release by the U.S. Marine Corps, October 24.

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