MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- 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.