Photo By Matthew Callahan | An Indonesian Marine looks through the window of the troop commander hatch in a U.S....... read more read more
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KANEOHE, Hawaii - Marines assigned to Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, practiced amphibious assault vehicle operations with Indonesian Marines, June 30.
The goal of AAV training was to prepare both the Indonesian and U.S. Marines for amphibious operations and to bolster interoperability between the partner nations in preparation of ship-to-shore movements for Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.
The AAVs, or tracks, are armored personnel carriers designed to transport Marines from the well decks of naval amphibious vessels to shore and beyond. They are outfitted with smoke grenade launchers to conceal movement, .50-caliber machine guns and MK19 automatic grenade launchers to provide suppressing fire for infantry Marines.
Newer Marines to the company used the time to sharpen their skills in driving the AAVs in the ocean.
“We’re doing water-borne operations to ensure training and knowledge is passed down to the more junior Marines,” said Cpl. Chris Hoover, an AAV crew chief assigned to CAC, 3rd Marines. “This (training) ensures everyone knows their steps and standard operating procedures.”
The tracks splashed into the bay from an entry point at the Pacific War Memorial in the morning to conduct a jetty operation; the smallest scale training the unit conducts. A few Indonesian Marines accompanied CAC in the AAVs and observed how their U.S. Marine counterparts operated, including vehicle towing procedures and learned about troop transfer. Combat Assault Company then practiced towing a downed vehicle.
Marines maneuvered their AAVs behind each other and cross-connected the two troop carriers with rope. The vehicle towing used their rope and the receiving track crew members tied it off.
Once connected, one vehicle dragged the other through the water with the rear crewman and the crew chief observing the rope to make sure it was secure. This simulated a downed vehicle tow.
Combat Assault Company also has actions to get personnel off an inoperable vehicle at sea.
“Let’s say the track is sinking,” said Cpl. Kevin Valle, a vehicle commander assigned to CAC. “We go into troop transfer and open up the starboard side hatch, and the vehicles are port to port side so the drivers can see each other.”
Valle said the drivers position themselves a short distance from each other and coast closer until the tracks can connect and safely deliver personnel.
The company serves to provide Marines of 3rd Marine Regiment the ability to train in an amphibious environment like ship-to-shore exercises. They also provide transportation through urban environments, like the military operations in urban terrain town at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.
Cpl. Victor Chen, an AAV crew chief assigned to CAC, 3rd Marines, said the tracks not only provide transportation for advancing Marines, but can also serve as cover, provide security and point out targets for the infantrymen. “Our job is to bring the grunts to the fight.”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2014 18:12 |
| Story ID: | 135913 |
| Location: | KANEOHE, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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