Aviation is a dynamic profession. The rate of obsolescence of equipment is high and new aircraft have to be placed in inventory periodically in order to stay abreast of the requirements of modern war.
The Marine Corps is proud of the fact that it is a force of combined arms, and it jealously guards the integrity of its air-ground team.
Retention of operational control of its air is important to the Corps' air-ground team, as air constitutes a significant part of its offensive firepower.
