Tenant Organizations

Marine Corps Tactical
Support Systems Activity
The Marine Corps Tactical Support Systems Activity (MCTSSA), located in the 31 Area, provides technical support to the Operating Forces by operating the Operating Forces Tactical Systems Support Center and by deploying on-site technical teams tailored to the needs of requesting units. Recently MCTSSA deployed a Forward Support Team to assist I MEF HQ and its major subordinate commands in standing up and supporting C4I systems for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. We also supported USMC exercises Desert Scimitar, Lucky Sentinel, Swift Hammer, Cobra Gold, Combined Endeavor, Infinite Moonlight, and most other major MEF-level exercises around the world. Our C4I Operating Forces support center can be reached at (800) 808-7634; DSN 365-0533 and COMMERCIAL (760) 725-0533.

MCTSSA provides USMC decision makers with objective interoperability and integration assessments of Command, Control, Computer, Communications, Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (C4ISR) systems. MCTSSA supports the Deputy Commander for C41 Integration at MARCORSYSCOM with the System of Systems, Federation of Systems, and Joint Distributed Engineering Plant (JDEP) tests. Results of these tests will be used to validate and fine-tune the current and future C41 architecture of the USMC. MCTSSA also supports numerous tests of fielded system upgrades and is accredited by the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA) to perform testing on the Unit Operations Center (UOC) and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

MCTSSA operates a Systems Integration Facility that is a "VII MEF" for the Marine Corps. Its instruments, realistic, flexible, Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) C4I architecture allows the Marine Corps to: ensure system compliance with standards and protocols, replicate and solve Operating Forces problems, assess integration of systems and evaluate interoperability.

MCTSSA supports the Commanding General, MARCORSYSCOM and his Program Managers in acquiring, developing, testing, fielding, and maintaining C4!SR systems. MCTSSA Technical Support Officers, project engineers, configuration managers, and quality assurance person- nel perform systems engineering, software engineering, validation and verification tasks for the Program Managers and their project officers on ground command and control (C2), air C2, tactical communications, intelligence, sensors, fire support programs, and several joint programs.

Assault Craft Unit 5
"The Swift Intruders"
Assault Craft Unit 5 is the West Coast home of the Navy's newest amphibious assault craft, the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). This unique craft is supported above land or surface of the water by a cushion of air contained within its flexible rubber skirt system. Air cushion technology makes the MCAC the Navy's only true amphibious landing craft.

An LCAC is capable of carrying a 75 ton payload at speeds in excess of 40 knots. Launching from naval ships located over the horizon, an LCAC has arrange of 200 nautical miles and can land troops and equipment on more than 70 percent of the world's beaches. The ACU-5 base facility compliments the LCAC's high-tech design with state-of-the-art repair and maintenance capabilities.

ACU-5's location of on Camp Pendleton is in keeping with the unique relationship enjoyed by the Navy-Marine Corps amphibious team. ACU-5 supports a compliment of 36 LCACs and employs more than 600 naval personnel. ACU-5 is a U.S. Pacific Fleet unit under the direct command of Commander, Naval Beach Group One, located in Coronado, Calif.

U.S. Army Reserve Center
The U.S. Army Reserve Center provides facilities and logistical support for the training of Army Reserve personnel and units. Units assigned to the reserve center consists of a deployment Brigade, water purification and distribution company, terminal service company, diving detachment and water desalination detachment. The USAR Center is located at the Del Mar boat basin and can be reached at (760) 725-2416/763-0448.

Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD
Weapons and Field Training Battalions (WFTBN), located at Edson Range in the 31 Area, is a major subordinate command under the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego.

It is a self-contained complex containing rifle and pistol ranges, field training areas, classrooms, mess hall, PX, billeting, medical and administration facilities. WFTBN provides Phase II Marine Recruit Training (boot camp) instruction to approximately 20,000 recruits a year in marksmanship, individual combat skills and the Crucible. It also conducts primary marksmanship instructor and range coach's school. Edson Range was named after Major Gen. Merrit A. "Red Mike" Edson, a WWII Medal of Honor winner and a distinguished small arms marksman proponent.  read more...

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