The U.S. Air Force’s 623rd Air Control Squadron (ACS) and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) have successfully collaborated to test integrated sensor systems, enhancing their command and control (C2) capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative focused on leveraging the Marine Corps’ Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) to improve situational awareness and tactical decision-making.
Key Developments and Innovations
- Deployment of the Tactical Operations Center-Light (TOC-L)
- The TOC-L represents a more agile and compact alternative to the Air Force’s traditional Control and Reporting Center (CRC).
- Equipped with advanced antennas and satellite communication systems, the TOC-L supports radar surveillance, air defense, and air traffic control in diverse operational areas.
- “The training allowed operators to move freely, maintaining communications and situational awareness of the instruments,” explained 2nd Lt. Jack Langlais, officer in charge of C2 systems management at the 623rd ACS.
- Integration of the AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR
- The Marine Corps’ G/ATOR radar offers multi-functional capabilities, including air surveillance and ground weapons detection, significantly improving the ability to identify aircraft, missiles, and other threats.
- It’s lightweight and highly efficient, requiring only four personnel and 30 minutes for setup, compared to older systems that needed 10 personnel and over 8 hours.
- “Having a tactical radar for our engineering team allows us to develop expert knowledge of the radar’s functionality and capability,” said Sgt. Tae Burgess, an aviation radar technician with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 (MACS-4).
- First-Time Integration Success
- The 623rd ACS successfully linked its TOC-L with the MACS-4 TPS-80 radar, marking a significant milestone in extending command and control capabilities.
- “This extends our capabilities for command and control across Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and other remote locations,” noted Capt. Grey Hodson, deputy chief of weapons and tactics at the 623rd ACS.
Operational Impact
- Enhanced Expeditionary Readiness: The G/ATOR and TOC-L combination is designed for rapid deployment, crucial for the dynamic needs of the Indo-Pacific Command.
- Expanded Bilateral Training: The G/ATOR has already been deployed in joint training exercises across Australia, Thailand, South Korea, and Guam, demonstrating its versatility and operational importance.
- Improved Tactical Awareness: Integration of advanced radar systems with compact operations centers provides commanders with real-time data for strategic decisions in complex environments.
Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific
The collaboration between the Air Force and Marine Corps highlights the U.S. military’s commitment to multi-domain operational excellence in the Indo-Pacific region. By integrating advanced radar and command systems, the U.S. enhances its ability to counter emerging threats and strengthen partnerships with allied nations.
This capability marks a significant step forward in ensuring regional stability, increasing interoperability, and preparing for potential challenges in the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
