eli5: Why does the US Military have airplanes in multiple branches (Navy, Marines etc) as opposed to having all flight operations handled by the Air Force exclusively?
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Speaking from the Marine Corps perspective, the basic ideal is that Marines support Marines. Not because of what it might seem like, that we just think we’re better.
We do.
But the idea is basically that there’s a good chance we’ll be out on our own, one large unit with organic logistics and air support, etc., moving to the objective.
Having to go inter-branch to the Air Force would be a lot of politics and having to justify your needs, etc., etc. It’s not going to be ‘hey, send me a couple A-10s, there’s a chance we’re gonna get overrun’ and they arrive. It’s going to be a lot of jawing and nonsense and who’s got the fucking time in combat when you can just relay your shit to the command and they’ll just give you the support.
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