The U.S. Navy is serious about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but it has yet to determine who will operate them. Fortunately, however, there is a solution at hand: the Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) detachments that currently deploy as fully integrated elements of the Navy's expeditionary strike groups. The detachments provide the ideal structure to absorb the new vertical- take-off-and-landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (VTUAVs) soon to enter service.
The Naval Air Systems Command recently approved the operational requirements document for the vehicles. Drawing upon "Forward . . . From the Sea," and "Operational Maneuver from the Sea," planners envision an integrated surveillance system that supports protracted operations and high-demand tasking, afloat or ashore, from low- to high-intensity conflict.
The Marine Corps plans to establish two squadrons to support Marine operations inland. Discussions of Navy employment has thus far been restricted to operations in the coastal zone (the littoral) from embarked detachments onboard the new littoral combat ship. If we accept for argument's sake that the Navy will ultimately organize its portion of the vertical UAV assets in squadron-like organizations-let us say two, mirroring our Marine colleagues, each with the ability to form detachments in much the same way light helicopters and SEAL teams operate today-where is the best place for them in the new carrier/expeditionary strike group command structure?
At first glance, it might seem logical to establish two new Navy squadrons just as the Marines have done. Each would have four systems assigned with the necessary qualified pilots and sensor operators. Based upon the experience of VC-6, the Navy's only existing UAV squadron, 40 personnel should be able to operate the four systems around the clock for a prolonged period of time. Tack on maintenance (say an additional 30 personnel), administrative (10 personnel), and logistical odds and ends (five more sailors), and you arrive at a strength of 85. Once established, the task would then shift to integrating this small, brand-new command into the existing structures of the strike groups' tactical environments. Any experienced sailor will quickly discern that these squadrons will have a lot to do.
But there is no reason to reinvent the wheel.
The existing tactical air control squadrons, born of necessity during World War II, provide an ideal home for the new technology. They were invented during the early amphibious assaults of that war when it became obvious that someone had to control the air support until the troops ashore were ready to handle it. Air support control units were formed to advise the amphibious commander on all matters involving aircraft employment, including close air support for ground troops, combat air patrol, and antisubmarine patrol. Over time, these units evolved into today's TACRON detachments, which normally consist of five officers and 17-20 enlisted personnel ranging from air controllers to intelligence specialists.
Today, there are several reasons for integrating the new technology into established units. First, the squadrons are already inculcated with the detachment "mentality." Currently structured to support six detachments, squadron personnel know how to operate independently while supporting the strike group's overall mission. Comfortable with operating afloat and supporting Marines ashore, the detachments demonstrate daily the flexibility necessary to employ successfully the new capabilities in the most challenging of environments.
Integrating the new vehicles into TACRON operations means grafting a new warfare mission and capability onto existing structures, but this hardly presents an insurmountable challenge. Throughout their history, the squadrons have been assigned new missions as technology and strategy changed. Beyond the common airspace control, flight scheduling, and participation in the rapid response planning process, squadron detachments have functioned as the amphibious ready group (predecessor of the expeditionary strike group) air defense commander's support staff to the Joint Force Air Component Commander. Most recently, squadron personnel have been tapped to provide tactical air control for expeditionary strike groups, where they have functioned in a role analogous to that performed by "strike control" and "strike operations" on the bigdeck carriers. The squadron detachment remains the resident expert on all aspects of joint/combined air integration, allowing the expeditionary strike group to mesh easily with the theater commander's combined air operations center. Detachment personnel have consistently demonstrated they can adapt to new requirements.
Often overlooked is that these are aviation commands, staffed by seasoned naval aviators immersed in the ethos of naval aviation. Current commanding and executive officers derive their operational expertise from thousands of flight hours in a wide variety of aircraft-and this experience base does not end with the officer corps; personnel have demonstrated an ongoing expertise at the operational as well as the tactical (day-to-day air control) level. They are adept at conducting the coordination and obtaining the airspace required for littoral missions, and adept at controlling aircraft in the airspace once they get it. They also work very closely with the supporting arms coordination center, the fire-support agency that would be one of the primary customers for VTUAV targeting data in a combined arms environment.
Yet another factor in their favor is that they are already fully immersed and integrated into the exact operational environment where the new vehicles will most likely be employed. Squadrons deployed in support of amphibious ready groups during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and participated in humanitarian assistance efforts in East Timor and Africa during Operation Provide Hope. Detachments deployed on 1 September 2001 were critical components of the nation's initial response in Afghanistan. Most recently, squadron detachments supported Task Force 51, the largest amphibious task force assembled since the Korean War to support military operations in Iraq.
TACRONs are staffed by highly motivated, aviation-oriented personnel who have the experience and training to employ the new vehicles effectively. They possess the core support yeomen, mess specialists, intelligence specialists, and information systems technicians necessary to support detachment operations. That the parent squadrons are currently manned at approximately 100 personnel suggests that there is ample room for expansion without diluting command effectiveness in existing mission areas.
Deciding to create a new VTUAV squadron rather than add the new personnel to existing Tactical Air Control Squadrons would represent an inefficient use of naval personnel all around-something we cannot afford to do.
Commander Hendrix, a naval flight officer, is the prospective executive officer of Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California. He is a member of the Naval Institute's Editorial Board.