A Marine Corps Harrier Squadron was invited to attend the annual Air Force Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, NV. This is one of the USAF's big exercises where they test Combined Arms employment of tactical air assets.
The USAF F-15 pilots showed up on the ramp with dozens of rear echelon airman types and tons of equipment such as Ground Power Units, Accessory Power Units, Hummers, Trucks, Air Conditioners, etc.
The Marines formed up ready for combat with only their Harriers.
The Air Force commander commented to the Marine C.O., "Where is all your support stuff? Geezz, you guys really are just Grunts that know how to fly."
Not wanting to disappoint the Air Force commander, the Marine C.O. and his First Sergeant devised a plan. Under the cover of darkness, the Marine Squadron fabricated and installed bayonet studs onto the Pitot tube of each Harrier.
The next morning, the Air Force pilots fell in on the ramp in front of their F-15s.
The Marine pilots formed up on the other side of the ramp in front of their Harriers. Each Marine pilot wore deuce gear with a bayonet in the scabbard.
The USAF commander ordered his pilots to "man your planes."
The USAF ground crews by the dozens scrambled to their trucks, APU's, GPU's, etc. and the pilots ran to their planes.
The Marine C.O. barked, "Fix Bayonets."
Each pilot ran to the front of their Harrier, fixed his bayonet onto the Pitot tube, and came to attention.
The Marine C.O. then barked, "CHARGE" and the Marines jumped in their Harriers, dusted airborne, and flew off.
The Marine C.O. turned to the USAF commander and said; "THAT is what Marines consider Close Ground Support."