LCAC: Amphibious assault and forward power

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, AT SEA

03.17.2014

Courtesy Story

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian M. Senyk

USS BONHOMME RICHARD - Amphibious squadrons have a multitude of facets that, if lacking, would bring down the effectiveness and efficiency of the strike group and possibly cause mission failure. One important facet of an amphibious squadron is the landing craft air cushion team.

“LCAC is essentially the Navy’s way of saying hovercraft,” said Hull Technician 1st Class Louis DeForest, LCAC engineer assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), from Jupiter, Fla. “LCACs are basically hovercrafts we use to get Marines and their gear from the ship to the shore.”

The primary mission of an LCAC is amphibious assault on the enemy, utilizing the Navy and Marine Corps’ sides and putting them together.

“Without an LCAC it would be virtually impossible to get vehicles to land,” said DeForest. “It’s basically the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s [31st MEU] only means of transporting all their equipment to shore.”

LCACs are also the best choice for landing on shore, as they can do it nearly anywhere in the world.

“LCACs are much more versatile than any other landing craft in service,” said DeForest. “LCACs can land on nearly 90 percent of the world’s coastlines, while most other landing crafts are significantly lower.”

Another important part of amphibious assault with LCACs is getting Marines to where they’re supposed to be and doing it in a timely manner.

“LCACs are required to get to shore not a second early and no later than three minutes late,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Levi Rush, LCAC navigator aboard Bonhomme Richard, from Carthage, Mo. “It is essential for LCACs to get to their destination within that window of time during a real combat situation. Studies have shown that it takes the enemy about three minutes to recover from an air raid and we want to be in there before they do that and get our Marines on the ground.”

And that is the mission of an LCAC. Get marines and vehicle to land effectively and quickly. The LCAC is the best way to accomplish that objective.

“If we didn’t have LCACs to transport these vehicles, then there is almost no point for us to be out here,” said DeForest. “Sure, we have Marines. But Marines without tanks and other heavy weaponry are at a significant disadvantage. That’s why LCACs are vital to the amphibious assault mission.”

Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Capt. Joey Tynch, is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently conducting joint force operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2014
• Date Posted: 03.20.2014 00:46
• Story ID: 122266
• Location: USS BONHOMME RICHARD, AT SEA
• Hometown: CARTHAGE, MO, US
• Hometown: JUPITER, FL, US