The Marine Corps can provide aerial support--- fixed wing (jets, planes) or rotary (helicopters)---in support of certain community events. To get started, begin by thoroughly completing and submitting the Department of Defense “Request for Military Aerial Support” (DD form 2535) on this website. This form must be completed by the sponsoring organization, certified by the “owner” of the event site and approved by the local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District office (FSDO) before submission to the Marine Corps Public Affairs.
All requests for Marine Corps single aircraft demonstration, static display, or flyover must be submitted at least 90 days in advance of the event, and not more that one year in advance. Incomplete forms and requests received within 14 days of the event will not be considered. We do not schedule specific aircraft or units for specific events. We determine the eligibility of the event itself for potential aviation support of public events that meet the criteria outlined in Marine Corps Order 5720.73 w/ change 1. Once we deem an event eligible for Marine Corps support, it is the requestor's responsibility to directly contact and coordinate the possible participation of Marine Corps aviation units.
Once we determine eligibility or non-eligibility of a request, we will send you an email notifying you whether your event meets DOD and Marine Corps criteria for eligibility. If eligible, you will be provided with a list of Public Affairs Offices at various Marine Corps Bases, as well as their phone numbers. Contact these offices to further coordinate support of your request. However, please keep in mind that there is no guarantee a Marine Corps aviation unit can/will support your event, as participation in public events is secondary to regularly scheduled training and operations. If your event is not eligible for Marine Corps participation, you will also be notified via email and provided a reason.
Also, please keep in mind that although your event may be eligible for support, we may simply not be able to support it. With an increasingly high operations tempo and limited resources to meet our training and operational commitments, we are required to take a hard look at all of our requests. So, understand that if we deny your request, even though it may be technically eligible for support, we are not questioning the worthiness of the event, but rather enforcing DoD and Marine Corps policy to preserve the operational and training requirements of our aviation units and to practice the prudent stewardship of taxpayer-financed resources.
Submission Instructions for Aerial Support Requests
- Step One
Open and complete the online DD Form 2535 file on the aviation support web page using this website. Fill out required fields (marked in red) with as many specifics as possible as the form will not be accepted otherwise.
- Step Two
Once the form has been completed and submitted, print off a hard copy (needed for FAA/FSDO portion of form)
- Step Three (Skip to Step Four if only requesting Static Display)
Fax or email the request and to your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
** An ink signature is required in box 19d. FAA Coordinating Official's Signature in the region that the flyover is to take place must sign here.
Go to http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo to locate your local FSDO. Please note your local FAA/FSDO minimum notification requirements for aviation request reviews and ensure you allot that extra time into the request process. For example, if your event takes place in December, the completed submission should reach the Marine Corps no later than October; however, if your local FAA/FDSO office requires a minimum 45 day notice for review, the request should be sent to that FAA/FDSO office no later than August.
4. Step Four
Once your local FAA/FSDO office has completed their review and has signed off on your DD form 2535,ensure signature is visible and information fully legible. Scan as a .pdf file and email the entire request with signature in 19d. In the email's subject line, type "Request for Marine Corps Aviation Support".
**Section IV must be completed, signed and returned to you by the FAA before you submit the entire request form to the Aviation Coordinator at Headquarters Marine Corps.
- Step Four
Look for a confirmation email that determines your events eligibility. Eligibility will be determined based upon the criteria outlined in MCO P5720.73 w/ch 1.
** Even if your request meets the eligibility criteria outlined in MCO P5720.73 w/ch 1, you do not automatically receive support for your event.
- Step Five
If your event is determined to be eligible for support, you must contact the potential supporting unit directly to ensure their support and provide coordination for the event and all of its details. Please realize that all Marine Corps units have specific military missions and training requirements. Participation in public programs will only be authorized when such support is in the best interests of the Department of Defense and the Marine Corps and does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled.
DOD Policy, and Exception to Policy, for DOD aviation support of public events:
Per Department of Defense Directive 5410.18 (Public Affairs Community Relations Policy), approval for eligibility of U.S. military aviation in support of public events is based on several key criteria so as to limit interference with the operations and training of aviation units, and to set reasonable limits for their use. Requests for U.S. military aviation support must fall within the following (otherwise, it may be considered as an exception to policy):
-Civilian-sponsored formal observances, open to the public, of Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May); Memorial Day (last Monday in May); Independence Day (July 4); Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day (3rd Friday in September); and Veterans Day (November 11) when held within seven days of the holiday date.
- Aviation-related events in which the primary objective is to demonstrate or encourage the advancement of aviations, such as air shows, airport dedications and anniversaries, and aviation expositions.
- Ceremonies honoring foreign dignitaries except when directed by E.O.s or the Secretary of Defense.
- Events held on a military installation
- Official Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) or Military Service Academy graduation ceremonies.
“Exception to Policy” requests are those events which do not fall into one of the above mentioned categories, but is a public event, i.e., sporting events. When submitting your request, ensure you include as much pertinent information on your request as possible. Whether or not a request for U.S. military aviation support falls within or is an exception to current DOD policy and regulations is determined by each branch of service.