Photo By Martin Egnash | Marines with 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion await orders to 'splash' into the water...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- One thing that sets Marines aside from other branches is their emphasis on amphibious operations. Throughout history, the ability for an amphibious force to conduct a forcible entry has been an essential element of any seafaring nation’s military strategy. Now, Marines are training not just with history in mind, but today’s fight during a live scenario known as Exercise Bold Alligator 2012.
In this exercise, one of the amphibious combat elements involved is the 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion from 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The 2nd AA Bn. is a mechanized amphibious unit trained and equipped to lead the surface assault element of a landing force and assist in combat support once ashore. They primarily use amphibious assault vehicles. During BA-12, they have been providing the amphibious assault element since the moment they arrived Feb. 2.
“We started (the exercise) on the beach,” said Gunnery Sgt. James W. Myrick, 2nd AABN Delta Company platoon sergeant. “For us, it was go-time as soon as the splash chief commander signaled the first AAV.”
Myrick explains that the splash chief commander oversees the process of entering the water. He utilizes flags to signal the Marines in AAVs to go, and when he gives them the signal, one-by-one they take off charging into the waves.
“When we hit the water, we’re going as fast as we can,” said AAV crew chief Lance Cpl. Adam L. Kubatzke. “From the inside, you can see waves splash all the way to the turret (on the top of the AAV).”
The 11 AAVs from Delta Company reached their destination, the USS Wasp, located 5,500 meters from shore, in approximately 45 minutes.
Since they have been aboard, they have been spending their time doing physical training, conducting weapon drills and maintaining their vehicles.
“We spend a lot of time in our AAVs,” said AAV crew chief Lance Cpl. Josh Shaffer. “When we aren’t driving them or training with them, we’re doing maintenance on them.”
That closeness between the Marines and their equipment has led to some of the amphibious assault crew, to name their AAVs.
Shaffer explains that the amphibious assault Marines and their equipment are inseparable due to the nature of amphibious operations. He named his ‘Matilda’ for the seemingly magical properties it has.
The 2nd AA Bn. will be aboard until their intended beach landing at the end of Bold Alligator 2012.
The exercise, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. It focuses on today’s flight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30- Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2012 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 83420 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, AAVs go from land to sea, by Martin Egnash, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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