Story by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero | 1st Marine Division | 02.26.2016
The fumes of diesel and oil surrounded Marines as they sat in the small, dimly lit hull of an Assault Amphibious Vehicle. The massive gate to the USS Essex’s (LHD 2) well deck slowly lowered, disappearing under the surface of the water. The AAV-7 jolted forward as the driver increased the speed as the end of the ramp approached. The Marines felt a brief instant of weightlessness as the AAV-7......
