Photo By Sgt. Sara Graham | Marines with 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, drive an...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 26-ton metal vehicle, with the ability to carry 21 fully-loaded combat Marines, plunges into the water after rolling down the back of a ship. Instead of sinking, it quickly pops back up ready to be driven to shore, where it can deliver Marines waiting inside to the fight, and provide support to those already on the ground.
Reserve Marines of 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, conducted AAV launch training on Blount Island, Jacksonville, Florida, Aug. 13, 2014. The training focused on returning the Marines to their amphibious roots, which is a first for some of the Marines manning the AAVs.
“This was my first time splashing off ship, it was an awesome experience,” said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Rada, an AAV crewman with 4th AA Bn., 4th MarDiv. “I feel like it’s important because on a deployment or on a MEU, that’s what we will be doing.”
The Navy’s USNS SEAY (T-AKR-302), a Maritime Prepositioning Ship, was used as the as the platform to launch the AAVs. The Marines embarked overnight on the ship to prepare the AAVs for launch, then splashed off the back of the ship once all AAVs were operable.
“To splash off the back of an MPS is a rare training opportunity,” said Sgt. Jacob Lewis, AAV crew chief, 4th AA Bn., 4th MarDiv. “For some of these guys it was their first time and they performed outstanding.”
After splashing off ship, the Marines put the AAVs into full gear and took a hard right to turn toward their objective. The large metal assault vehicle cut through the water easily with the intent of bringing the Marines to shore as quickly as possible in order to support land operations.
“The AAV is the current amphibious troop transport of the United States Marine Corps,” said Master Sgt. Timothy Allison, operations chief with Company D, 4th AA Bn., 4th MarDiv. “It is used to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support.”
The Marines not only increased their ability to work together and drive an assault vehicle from ship to the shore, but they honed new skills needed to maintain their readiness, while learning to use the Maritime Prepositioning Ship as another way to get to shore and provide combat support.
“It is important that we continue to practice and demonstrate our ability to project forces from the sea,” said Allison. “With a shortage of Naval amphibious ships, the Marine Corps is looking more closely at how it can use our Maritime Prepositioning Force to perform its mission.”
Training evolutions such as this one provide Reserve Marines with valuable time to practice their military occupational specialty skills.
“The importance of the training, especially for Reserve Marines, is to maintain our proficiency in being able to conduct ship-to-shore operations,” said Cpl. Carlos Diaz, an AAV mechanic with 4th AA Bn., 4th MarDiv. “Just in case for the one day we get a call, we are ready and proficient enough in our MOS to support the fight.”
As the Marines approached the shore line, the 26-ton metal vehicle transitioned seamlessly from the water to the beach. The drivers then followed their ground guides down the road to their last stop, the wash rack. Here, the AAV crew members washed each vehicle, keeping them maintained and ready for the next training opportunity or for the moment they may be called to the fight.
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2014 12:21 |
| Story ID: | 140028 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE , FL, US |
| Web Views: | 413 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Reserve Marines conduct 4th Amphibious Assault Vehicle Launch, by Sgt Sara Graham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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