Marine Corps doesn't need Miramar

By: BRYAN MACE | Saturday, August 20, 2005 9:49 PM PDT ∞

Miramar? I was a Marine fighter pilot and served in Vietnam. In more than 100 combat missions, more than 95 percent were close air-support of troops on the ground.

That's what the Corps is about. That's what we were better at than anyone else.

Marines train and get their wings in the Navy program, the same as any Navy pilot. But once we go to active squadrons, the Navy trains to defend the fleet through air superiority; the Marines train to support the grunts and seldom have to secure the air above them.

Air superiority can be provided by the U.S. Air Force and Navy, even in expeditionary conditions. The Marines need helicopters, vertical envelopment, unmanned and manned reconnaissance and machines that are easy to maintain in support of the guys on the ground; Harriers, Black Hawks, Cobras and maybe A-10s.

In other words, aircraft that can put ordinance on the target, close in.

F-4s were great at close air because of the great loads we could carry. F-18s are probably good at it too, but I'd bet the A-10 is better (the USAF tank killer).Ý

It's the bureaucracy that keeps the Marines in fighters, not common sense or military necessity. They don't need F-18s and joint strike fighters even though they are loathe to give anything up. Marine air should be 100 percent focused on supporting the troops on the ground, just like Army air supports its guys.

The Marines don't need Miramar. They have 29 stumps, Camp Pendleton and Yuma.

They could use March, and so could the Navy, along with North Island. In terms of flying time from a carrier, or to and from the ranges, the difference is negligible or less than 10 minutes.Ý

Of course, everyone enjoys living in the San Diego area.ÝThat includes Marine and Navy personnel. But that's no reason to deprive the whole county of the best potential airport facility available.

La Jollans don't have to object. As long as the departure path is kept north of Torrey Pines, the entire departure corridor would be over commercial-industrial property in Sorrento Valley. The approach corridor is over El Cajon and Gillespie Field or further north over the wilds, which should lesson the impact of changes for approach traffic.

Lindbergh could continue with lighter use as a downtown airpark for light business aircraft and jets, with possible joint use by Marine helicopters which could use the bay for ingress and egress instead of over the Point Loma area.

It's time someone with some common sense takes charge and quits ignoring Miramar as the San Diego International Airport of our future. Stop wasting our money and time with the really stupid alternatives. All the studying we've done only shows the impracticality of any other location.Ý

The only sensible location for an airport serving San Diego County is in San Diego County. All other problems and objections can be overcome with a little common sense and focus. Let's be open to improving the Corps and San Diego.Ý

Semper Fi.

Bryan Mace lives in Carlsbad.

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