Photo Information

Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, ready themselves to enter the water in their amphibious assault vehicle during amphibious training operations aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., August 4, 2011. The Marines train each year to brush up on their old techniques and tactics, as well as learn new ones. During this operation, the Marines had the cooperation of USS Ponce, an Austin-Class amphibious transport dock, and USS Oak Hill, a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship. After launching from the beach, the Marines boarded the ship with the help of their vehicles.

Photo by Pvt. Brian M. Woodruff

Tracks get back to their roots

4 Aug 2011 | Pvt. Brian M. Woodruff 2nd Marine Division

During a training exercise August 4, 2011, Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion worked in coordination with the United States Navy to get back to the history of where the amphibious assault vehicles first started. The Marines launched from Onslow beach to a nearby ship where they boarded using the ship’s transport dock.

USS Ponce, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, and USS Oak Hill, a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship, participated in the training.

In a recent amphibious operations summit, Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, spoke about the recent debate over whether the Marines Corps needs to keep its amphibious capabilities.

“It’s irresponsible, and quite honestly junior varsity, to think you could just write off the requirement for amphibious shipping for our nation,” said Amos.