With its long-standing traditon of using air power to support the 'grunts' in the front lines, the U.S. Marine Corps air arm emphasizes combat-support missions over all others. Squadrons operate from Navy aircraft carriers and from smaller 'assault ships'. Older aircraft like the A-6 and A-4 are being steadily replaced by the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier jets which, in addition to being excellent ground-pounders, possess a significant air-combat capability.
