Marines train for amphibious operations during Dawn Blitz

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Michele Hunt | Sailors and Marines conducted Landing Craft Air Cushion operations to load vehicles and weapon systems onto USS Bonhomme Richard from a Camp Pendleton beach, Sept. 27. Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5 moved more than 70 Marines and sailors and 25 vehicles from shore to the ship.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

09.28.2011

Story by Cpl. Michele Hunt 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, came aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard to participate in the large-scale exercise, Dawn Blitz, Sept. 28.

CLB-15 will conduct landing force support operations during a training evolution designed to prepare Marine units for rapid crisis response.

Sailors and Marines conducted Landing Craft Air Cushion operations to load vehicles and weapon systems onto Bonhomme Richard from a Camp Pendleton beach. Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5 moved more than 70 Marines and sailors and 25 vehicles from shore to the ship.

“The importance of doing [Landing Craft Air Cushion] operations is to provide Marines experience for the rapid deployment of humanitarian supplies to disaster relief areas,” said Cpl. Michael A. Thompson, a wrecker operator with Motor Transport Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st MLG.

The LCAC has the ability to land on any open beachfront or pier. It can maneuver over both land and sea to deliver cargo to key locations.

“We are getting the training necessary to answer the nation’s call, whatever that call may be,” said Thompson, 22, from Orlando, Fla.

The LCAC recovery exercises prepare Marines to plan and execute amphibious landings so they are ready and responsive should a crisis emerge.

“Dawn Blitz allows the opportunity to see operations from aboard ship,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher A. Copeland, a landing support specialist, Landing Support Company, CLB-15, 1st MLG. “This training is preparing us for future amphibious operations.”

• Date Taken: 09.28.2011
• Date Posted: 09.29.2011 03:09
• Story ID: 77742
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US