Marine Corps releases annual aviation plan

The Marine Corps issued its annual aviation plan just before Christmas, according to a service spokeswoman. The plan covers 2018.

This is the first aviation plan signed by Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder as deputy commandant for aviation. Rudder will brief Capitol Hill at the end of the month, according to the spokeswoman.

In his introduction, Rudder laid out the following guiding principles for the plan:

"My four priorities for our aviation Marine Corps are simple. First, we will prepare to deploy to combat, and focus on readiness for combat," he wrote.

Rudder's second priority is to modernize the force by purchasing new platforms and resetting legacy aircraft. At the same time, the service must support its maintainers by providing personnel with leadership, career path and incentive opportunities to aid retention.

"Finally, we will focus on MAGTF integration, providing the day and night assault support and tactical aviation to a combined‐arms fight anywhere in the world," he noted. "These priorities are the framework on which we will build tomorrow's force," he continued.