USMC Distributed Aviation Operations: Adapting Aviation for Future Conflicts

05/04/2025
By Robbin Laird

The United States Marine Corps has developed the concept of Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO) as part of its strategic response to evolving battlefield challenges.

This operational approach emphasizes dispersing aviation assets across wider areas to reduce risk to the force while maintaining coordinated combat effectiveness.

DAO is designed to address high-end adversaries with sophisticated anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities that could threaten traditional concentrated aviation operations.

DAO is the Marine Corps’ method of operating within an adversary’s sensing and weapons-engagement zone, enabling the Marines to generate aviation combat power through dispersion and coordinated employment of aviation squadrons, command-and-control agencies, aviation logistics, and aviation ground-support units.

What is Distributed Aviation Operations?

The character of warfare has evolved significantly. American forces haven’t had to compete for air superiority since the Korean War — 70 years ago. Today’s adversaries are capable of complex attacks using long-range precision fires, drones, unmanned systems, and aircraft comparable to those of U.S. forces. These capabilities put traditional sanctuaries at risk.

Modern adversaries possess increasingly capable systems for targeting and engaging U.S. forces. The concept of Distributed Operations was initially drafted by the USMC and developed by their Warfighting Laboratory as a response to the changing environment of modern warfare. Adaptive enemies and more complex operational environments required conventional forces to maintain the ability to decentralize decision making and distribute their forces.

The Marines, along with joint forces, are focused on force distribution both to enhance survival and to ensure presence where force can have meaningful impact, whether in crisis management or warfighting scenarios. Marine Corps aviation serves as a crucial backbone in enabling the Marines to uniquely deliver distributed effects.

Major General Benedict, former Commanding General of 2nd MAW, emphasized that DAO differs profoundly from simply being a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP). While a FARP remains the most visible manifestation of DAO, it is merely the final action and doesn’t reflect the significant choices and work necessary to create the capability to re-arm air assets at remote and ever-changing locations.

As Major General Benedict explained: “The difference is the backside. Where is the location? Why that location? How do we get the fuel there? How do we get ordinance there? How do we provide force protection? How do we maintain the aircraft and for how long? How long are we going to be there? When do we need to move? All of these things are what I call the backside of distributed operations.”

Core Components of Distributed Aviation Operations

The DAO concept contains several key elements that differentiate it from traditional aviation operations:

  • Dispersed Basing: By ridding the force of reliance on fixed infrastructure and creating forward operating bases of varying sizes and sophistication, Marine aviation aims to gain increased operational reach, expanded capacity beyond sea-based sorties, more options during major maneuvers, enhanced flexibility, and reduced risk to the force.
  • Mobile Infrastructure: Rather than depending on established airfields, DAO emphasizes mobility and flexibility in basing options. This includes the establishment of temporary forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) that can be rapidly established and relocated.
  • Command and Control Integration: Improved command and control upgrades better connect different aircraft types, enabling coordinated operations despite physical separation. This connectivity is crucial for maintaining coherent operational effects while dispersing forces.
  • Deception and Survivability: Mobile forward arming and refueling points incorporate elements of “deception and decoy” to complicate enemy targeting efforts. All DAO sites are considered mobile and designed to maintain elements of deception to enhance survivability.

Implementation in Marine Aircraft Wings

The USMC has been actively implementing and testing the DAO concept through its Marine Aircraft Wings (MAWs). Both 2nd MAW and 3rd MAW have conducted exercises specifically focused on distributed operations:

U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) have conducted distributed aviation operations outside of their home duty station and local area to validate logistics, sustainment, and communications requirements for command elements.

Similarly, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) has positioned aircraft and personnel across multiple military installations along the Pacific coastline to conduct distributed operations during training exercises, forging the future of this operational approach.

These practical implementations allow the Marine Corps to refine the concept while training personnel in the unique challenges of distributed operations.

Command Structure for DAO

DAO operates using a three-echelon construct for command and control and to task-organize formations while making risk decisions at the appropriate level:

  • MAW Level of Command: The primary purpose of this echelon is to conduct command and control and to coordinate operational logistics. At this level, Marines make risk decisions and coordinate with higher headquarters, adjacent units, and host nations.
  • MAG (Marine Aircraft Group) Level of Command: The primary purpose of this echelon is to generate aviation sorties. Marine Aircraft Group headquarters operate with a smaller signature to generate sorties, coordinate logistics, provide risk assessments, maintain aircraft, and support deployed forces.
  • Squadron Level of Command: At this echelon, squadrons and detachments maneuver and operate from points across the battlefield and into the weapons engagement zones (WEZs). Operations can range from hours to days, depending on the mission and the adversary.

Recent DAO Implementation Efforts

To address the challenges of DAO, 2nd MAW added a functional area inside its Tactical Air Command Center called the Distributed Operations Coordination Cell. According to Benedict, “Here we plan out and initiate coordination and execution of all the aviation ground support necessary to support an ATO [Air Tasking Order] in a distributed environment.”

In early 2025, units with 2nd MAW completed an exercise focused on distributed aviation operations near the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center on Andros Island, Bahamas. The exercise, which ran from January 28 to March 15, encompassed establishing decentralized aviation ground-support operations across multiple sites. Led by Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 and supported by several units across 2nd MAW and 2nd Marine Logistics Group, the operations included constructing expeditionary landing zones, improving existing landing pads, repairing infrastructure, and supporting medical and dental civic action programs for the local Bahamian community.

“The deployment directly supported 2nd MAW’s DAO warfighting concept, allowing aviation assets to operate effectively across multiple, distinct sites while maintaining command-and-control,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Mokris, commanding officer of MWSS-272.

The Role of Communications in DAO

In July 2024, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 (MWCS-28) was visited to discuss their approach to providing C2 (Command and Control) support for 2nd MAW’s distributed aviation operations. The squadron had recently participated in Nordic Response 2024, where a key focus was on DAO.

During the exercise, MWCS-28 “utilized existing Marine Corps assets and commercial off-the-shelf assets in order to make ourselves more survivable and less prone to being identified hiding within the noise.” They operated within existing infrastructure and bases owned and operated by the Norwegians, working closely with NATO allies.

This integration within the Nordic operating space represented a work in progress and part of the evolution of C2 capability required going forward. For DAO to be most effective in the Nordic context, it needs to be a planned and thoroughly thought-through concept of operations, not a pickup piece.

Aircraft Platforms and DAO

Several key aircraft platforms play important roles in enabling distributed operations:

  • F-35B Lightning II: The F-35B’s Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities are particularly well-suited for Distributed STOVL Operations, which supplement traditional sea and land basing with mobile forward arming and refueling points. This capability allows these advanced fighters to operate from austere locations with minimal infrastructure.
  • MV-22 Osprey: The tiltrotor’s unique combination of speed, range, and vertical take-off and landing capabilities make it ideally suited for supporting distributed operations. The introduction of aerial refueling capabilities to the V-22 allows it to refuel F-35 and other aircraft mid-air, further extending operational reach in distributed scenarios.
  • KC-130J: These aircraft provide essential tanker capabilities for extending the range of other aviation assets and can also serve as platforms for fires through the Harvest Hawk system.

At 2nd Marine Air Wing, the CH-53K has been introduced and will play a key role in the way ahead on DAO as well.

The “Lightning Carrier” Concept

As part of the broader distributed operations approach, the Marine Corps has developed the “Lightning Carrier” concept:

By 2025, the Marine Corps planned to operate 185 F-35Bs—enough to equip all seven L-Class ships. While amphibious assault ships will never replace dedicated aircraft carriers, they can be complementary when employed imaginatively. The Lightning Carrier concept includes an amphibious assault ship carrying 16 to 20 F-35Bs with four MV-22 Ospreys to refuel them.

These Lightning Carriers can deploy either independently, as part of an Expeditionary Strike Group, or alongside a Carrier Strike Group, providing significant operational flexibility.

Significance and Future Outlook

Distributed Aviation Operations connects with other USMC operational concepts that share similar principles:

  • Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) allow the USMC to establish small, dispersed, and rapidly maneuverable bases on key islands and littorals. These bases serve as forward operating locations for various combat functions including missile strikes, air defense, and intelligence gathering. They are designed to be temporary and relocatable to evade enemy targeting.
  • Similarly, Stand-In Forces (SIF) deploy small, resilient units inside contested zones rather than operating from outside the Weapons Engagement Zone. These units focus on denying enemy naval and air superiority by utilizing long-range missile systems.
  • The Marine Corps serves as America’s premier Crisis Response Force, and DAO is how the 2nd MAW will fight “anytime and anywhere.” Marine leadership emphasizes that their marines and sailors are “ready, capable, and lethal” in executing this concept.

The challenge for implementing effective DAO is significant, but so are the opportunities for innovation. The Nordics, with their extensive experience operating protected and distributed forces, provide an excellent learning environment for 2nd MAW Marines coming from North Carolina to contribute to and learn how to seamlessly integrate into regional distribution of forces.

Challenges and Requirements

Implementing DAO effectively requires overcoming several challenges:

  • Communications: Maintaining secure, reliable communications between dispersed units is essential but technically challenging in contested electromagnetic environments.
  • Logistics: Supporting multiple small, distributed aviation elements requires rethinking traditional supply chains and maintenance approaches.
  • Training: This type of warfare is dependent on well-trained and professional small unit leaders, focused and energetic training of small units, and more robust communications and tactical mobility assets for smaller units.

Conclusion

Distributed Aviation Operations represents a significant evolution in how the Marine Corps employs its aviation assets in response to emerging threats and technologies.

By dispersing forces while maintaining coordinated effects, the USMC aims to enhance both survivability and combat effectiveness in future conflicts, particularly against peer competitors with sophisticated A2/AD capabilities.

Featured photo: U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew Flori, from New York, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 poses for a photo next to an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 at an expeditionary landing zone near the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center on Andros Island, Bahamas, Mar. 2, 2025. MWSS-272 deployed to the Bahamas to conduct aviation ground support rehearsals and refine distributed aviation operations for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mya Seymour)