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Batman47 Board Founder/CNC User is Offline Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 368 Karma: 5 applaud / smite 397 points 0 warnings 0 tempbans	Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:39 pm    Post subject: Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) – PHIBRON 8 · Quote Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) – PHIBRON 8 Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Story Archive http://www.news.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=91   COMNAVSURALANT Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic http://www.cnsl.surfor.navy.mil/default.aspx   Commander, Amphibious Squadron Eight Amphibious Task Force COMPHIBRON EIGHT (COMPHIBRON) 8 COMPHIBRON 8 PHIBRON EIGHT Amphibious Squadron EIGHT (CPR 8) Amphibious Squadron 8 (CPR 8) http://www.cpr8.surfor.navy.mil/default.aspx http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/phibron8.htm Located in NAB Little Creek VA., Amphibious Squadron Eight (CPR 8) is the Command and Control Leg of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). ESG (Expeditionary Strike Group), former ARG (Amphibious Readiness Group). Amphibious Squadrons are built much like an athletic team whose coaching and training staff remain permanently intact and receive athletes only for the season. The Core Staff serves as the "coaching staff" for the different units under its command. These units are referred to as Naval Support Elements or NSEs. They serve on this "team" for one year. A PHIBRON's NSE's consists of an Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD or LHA), an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), a Dock Landing Ship (LSD), a Fleet Surgical Team (FST-6), a Fleet Information Warfare Center detachment (FIWC), a Naval Beach Group detachment (NBG-2), a Search and Rescue detachment (HC SAR), an Explosive Ordinance Disposal detachment (EOD), a Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON), and a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit (NSWTU). All elements come together for six months of training then deploy for six months as a forward-deployed, self-sustaining Amphibious Task Force. Commander Amphibious Squadron EIGHT is subordinate to Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 (COMEXSTRKGRU TWO). Focus on Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8 http://www.navy.mil/local/phibron8 Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8 Story Archive http://www.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=417 Amphibious ships are assigned to a squadron, more precisely an amphibious squadron which originally began as a Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Each amphibious squadron is designated by number and is comprised of an at-sea staff. Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet. The Squadron’ commanded the BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group im 2002, which consisted of USS BATAAN (LHD 5), USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) and the following Naval Support Element detachments; Fleet Surgical Team Four, Tactical Air Control Squadron Twenty One, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit Detachment Eighteen, Naval Beach Group Two Detachment Bravo and Special Warfare Group Team Eight Detachment Bravo. Previously, the squadron commanded the WASP Amphibious Ready Group which consists of USS WASP (LHD1), USS TRENTON (LPD14), USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) and the following Naval Support Element detachments; Fleet Surgical Team FOUR, Tactical Air Control Squadron TWENTY ONE, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team, Naval Beach Group, Special Warfare Group. A tactical amphibious squadron's organization is unique. Ships are assigned periodically to one of the tactical squadrons for specific operations or for temporary administrative purposes. The squadron staff functions for the commander in the operational readiness of each ship. The amphibious squadron commander with his staff is charged with responsibilities for planning and executing amphibious operations and deployments with a reinforced Marine Battalion. The amphibious squadron staff is capable of planning and executing amphibious assaults at the Marine Expeditionary Unit level with augmenting detachments from a Tactical Air Control Squadron, Naval Beach Group, Special Warfare Group, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and Fleet Surgical Team. Additionally it serves as Naval Forces Commander in various Joint Task Force Operations. and Fleet Surgical Team. Additionally it serves as Naval Forces Commander in various Joint Task Force Operations. Amphibious Ready Groups from the Naval Surface Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet normally deploy to the Mediterranean. However, other regions in the Atlantic Fleet area of responsibility are often included. The Amphibious Ready Group's capabilities range from providing medical supplies, personnel and food for evacuation in the event of natural disaster, to landing combat ready Marines ashore. Formed in February 1955, Amphibious Squadron EIGHT, then known as TRANSPHIBRON EIGHT, operated in such diverse regions as the Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, and the Middle East. In 1959, the name was officially changed to Amphibious Squadron EIGHT. Squadron tasks have varied from fleet exercises and training to resupplying the Early Warning Radar Network (DEWLINE); evacuating the UN Truce team from Gaza Strip; landing Marines to reinforce the Guantanamo garrison in 1962; evacuation of non-combatants from the island of Cyprus in 1974 and from war-torn Beirut, Lebanon in June 1976; evacuation of refugees from Cuba; experimental AV-8A Harrier operations in the Mediterranean; command of Amphibious Forces Lebanon, Amphibious Forces SIXTH Fleet and the United States contingent of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force, Lebanon in 1983; humanitarian relief efforts for over 250,000 Kurdish refugees as part of Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq; Search and rescue platform in the Adriatic Sea for Operation Provide Promise; Operation Restore Hope in Somalia; the rescue of downed Air Force pilot Capt. Scott O'Grady in 1995; evacuating American Embassy personnel, U.S. citizens and third country nationals from albania during Operation silver wake in 1997; and in 1998 participating in a security mission in Albania and conducting Black Sea operations and Partnership for Peace exercises in Albania, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania and the Ukraine. The squadron commanded the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Groups 1-85, 1-87, 1-88, 2-89, 1-91, 2-92, 2-95, 3-98 and Joint Task Force 2-93, 3-95, 1-97. MARG 2-95 - [Marine Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) 95-2] USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Nashville (LPD-13), and USS Pensacola (LSD-38) departed from homeportat Norfolk, VA on 22 March 1995, bound for the Mediterranean Sea as a member of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) 2-95 and the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. After an extensive five month training period, the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked at Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Fully capable and prepared for a myriad of possible missions, the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprised of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Nashville (LPD 13), and USS Pensacola (LSD 38), departed Onlsow Bay on March 23. After the two week transit, the three ship ARG relieved the Nassau ARG as Task Force Six One. Highlights of the deployment include the visit of the Kearsarge to Malta on 31 July 1995. The MEU conducted its last exercise of the deployment, a TRAP exercise (TRAPEX), near Aviano, Italy. The scenario called for MEU forces to recover four downed allied pilots from a hostile environment. The TRAPEX provided the Marines and Sailors an opportunity to execute some of the vital skills necessary for a force on watch in the Adriatic. The exercise went very smoothly and MEU personnel, once again, demonstrated the value of the intense training involved in the MEU (SOC) Program. The three-ship ARG said farewell to the Adriatic Sea on August 20. Before beginning their transit west, they took in some last liberty ports. Nashville stopped in Zakinthos, Greece, and Ibiza, Spain. Pensacola visited Naples, Italy, and Valencia, Spain. Kearsarge enjoyed Corfu, Greece, and Barcelona, Spain. The ARG rejoined in Rota, Spain, on 04 September 1995. The Marine Amphibious Ready Group was employed across a wide variety of naval activities during the deployment, including the rescue of U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady. On 08 June 1995, Marine rescue and attack helicopters operating from USS Kearsarge successfully completed the combat search and rescue mission, recovering O'Grady after he had spent six days behind enemy lines. On 09 September 1995 the Kearsarge ARG rendezvoused with the Wasp ARG to conduct a turnover. Later that afternoon, Kearsarge ARG Commodore Jerry Schill passed the "Commander, Task Force Six One" baton to Wasp ARG Commodore Skip Buchanan and Amphibious Squadron Four. On 20 September 1995 the Kearsarge ARG arrived in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, where the 24th MEU (SOC) debarked. The ships of the Kearsarge ARG returned to Norfolk Naval Station and Little Creek Amphibious Base on 22 September 1995. Saipan (LHA 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) -- More than 13,000 Sailors and Marines of the USS Enterprise Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) and USS Saipan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), including the embarked amphibious squadron staff (COMPHIBRON 8), returned to their east coast home ports and bases 19-21 December 1996. USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Saipan (LHA 2) and USS Austin (LPD 4) were on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf which began 28 June 1996. The Enterprise CVBG and the Saipan ARG were relieved by USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) CVBG and USS Nassau (LHA-4) ARG, which departed for their six month deployment 25 November 1996. In late 1998 the Saipan (LHA-2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), consisting of command ship USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Austin (LPD-4) and USS Tortuga (LSD-46), worked closely with the 22nd MEU in conducting several amphibious exercises. Included in the training were deck landing qualifications for Marine Helicopter Squadrons (HMM) 162 and Navy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6. Amphibious boat training was conducted by Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2 and Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4. Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU) completed the first phase of integrated training in the Cherry Point operating area, off the coast of North Carolina. The ships and squadrons of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Battle Group began a scheduled six-month deployment 18 February 2000. About 15,000 Sailors and Marines deployed to relieve the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Battle Group. The battle group had spent months preparing for this deployment, participating in a series of increasingly demanding exercises and operations. In June 1999 the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) completed Type Commander's Amphibious Training (TCAT), comprehensive amphibious training exercise, off the coast of North Carolina. The training culminated in Joint Task Force Exercise 00-1 held in December 1999. The USS Wasp (LHA 1) Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) was composed of Wasp, USS Trenton (LPD 14), and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). In February 2000, the WASP Amphibious Ready Group deployed to the Mediterranean with 24 Marine expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked. With their assigned naval forces of nearly 4,000 sailors and Marines, Amphibious Squadron Eight and 24 MEU(SOC) remain a ready amphibious arm of Commander, SIXTH Fleet. In June 2000 the USS Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) was on a routine deployment to the Mediterranean that included Exercise Dynamic Mix 2000 conducted off the coast of Kyparissia Bay, Greece. Amphibious Squadron 4 and the 26th MEU(SOC) relieved COMPHIBRON 8 and 24th MEU(SOC) embarked on the Norfolk-based USS WASP (LHD 1) ARG. On 08 August 2000 the sailors and marines of Amphibious Squadron EIGHT returned home from their deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The squadron moved to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, while awaiting their next deployment. MARG 1-02 - [Marine Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) 1-02] The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship Bataan, the amphibious transport dock Shreveport and the dock landing ship Whidbey Island departed their homeports for a scheduled six-month deployment in late September 2001. The three-ship amphibious assault group is part of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. Bataan, the flag ship for the three-ship amphibious ready group (ARG), along with Shreveport and Whidbey Island departed Norfolk for what was scheduled to be a routine deployment. The Bataan ARG had recently completed an extensive work-up cycle during which sailors assigned to Bataan, Shreveport and Whidbey Island and Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operation Capable) trained and prepared to conduct amphibious and special operations. The last phase of their eight-month training cycle successfully concluded with a Joint Task Force Exercise involving numerous ships including the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. With their assigned naval forces of nearly 4,000 sailors and Marines, Amphibious Squadron Eight and 26 MEU(SOC) remain a ready amphibious arm of Commander, SIXTH Fleet. The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship Bataan finished a successful on load of Marines, vehicles and cargo, and headed off on their six-month deployment on schedule. The more than 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU SOC), from Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., embarked on Bataan at Onslow Bay, NC. The on load was coordinated by a host of key players from the Bataan and the 26th MEU (SOC). It took roughly 13 hours. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/phibron8.htm COMPHIBRON 8 Embarks Saipan in Preparation for Phoenix Express Navy Times | Enid Wilson | May 30, 2006 Atlantic Ocean - Commander, Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 8 embarked USS Saipan (LHA 2) May 18 in preparation for the multinational combined exercise Phoenix Express in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Western Mediterranean Sea early this summer. Comphibron 8, assigned to Commander, Amphibious Group (COMPHIBGRU) 2 along with Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 4, Beach Master Unit (BMU) 2, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, and Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 22, all of Little Creek, Va., and Helicopter Support Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 of Norfolk, Va., moved aboard Saipan to participate in Phoenix Express. Phoenix Express will include ships from Algeria, France, Morocco, Spain and the United States. The exercise will provide an opportunity for ships to participate in diverse maritime training scenarios focusing on tactics, techniques, and procedures to carry out the global war on terrorism at sea. A combined multinational staff will direct the exercise from aboard Saipan in order to allow participant nations to develop greater proficiency in maritime domain awareness, and strengthen emerging and enduring partnerships. During the Atlantic Ocean transit, the Saipan crew and embarked staff are preparing for an intensive 10-day exercise, including aviation operations, demonstrations, firefighting, foreign officer exchanges, gunnery exercises, maritime interdiction operations (MIO), medical training, search and rescue, ship handling, towing, underway replenishment, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS). An observer from Tunisia will join the countries participating in the exercise. Along with exercise planning and preparation, COMPHIBRON 8 staff and Saipan crew enjoyed a steel beach picnic May 21, only three days after setting sail, rehearsing for a much larger steel beach picnic planned during the exercise. One thousand crew members were joined by nearly 80 embarked staff and unit personnel for lunch and dinner in the hangar bay where music, ping-pong, and game tables were set up for entertainment. On the flight deck, Sailors played basketball and soaked up the sun. “It’s a great opportunity to get everyone out...and it gives us an opportunity to get to know everybody, have a good time, socialize and find out who our shipmates are,” said Saipan’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Richard D. Fitzpatrick. The menu included grilled steaks, chicken, hotdogs and pork. According to Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Amanda Marsh, more than 700 lbs. of steak, 15 cases of baked beans, 10 cases of hotdog and hamburger buns were used for the picnic. The First Class Petty Officer’s Association, chiefs' mess, and wardroom volunteered for cooking and serving to help give everyone aboard during the holiday routine, even the culinary specialists. COMPHIBRON 8 Commodore, Capt. Robert W. Bougher said he has been very impressed with Saipan’s hospitality. http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,98958,00.html Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) [KERESG] USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) "Proud, Trustworthy, Bold" http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil/default.aspx Focus on USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) http://www.navy.mil/local/lhd3 USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Story Archive http://www.news.navy.mil/local/story_archive.asp?id=181 USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) History http://www.navysite.de/ships/lhd3.htm USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Photos http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/08/0803.htm Amphibious Ready Group  [KERARG] http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/lhd-3.htm Naval Station Norfolk, VA. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Norfolk, VA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/owcommandpost-about1976.html USS Kearsarge (1862-1894) -- Selected Views http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-k/kearsarg.htm USS KEARSARGE (BB-5) Battleship # 5), 1900-1955. Later Crane Ship # 1 (AB-1). http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-k/bb5.htm USS KEARSARGE (CV 33)  (1946-1974) USS Kearsarge (CV-33, later CVA-33 and CVS-33), 1946-1974 http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-k/cv33.htm USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Deployment History http://www.uscarriers.net/lhd3.htm History of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil/site%20pages/History.aspx Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 4 Little Creek, Va. Beach Master Unit (BMU) 2 “This Beach is Mine: Little Creek, Va. http://www.bmu2.surfor.navy.mil/default.aspx Beachmaster Unit Two is assigned the mission of providing tactical components in support of Amphibious Operations.   BMU-TWO provides Naval Beach Party Teams (BPTs) for deployment in conjunction with Expeditionary Forces in order to provide beach and surf zone salvage and to facilitate the landing and movement over the beach of troops, equipment, supplies, and the evacuation of casualties, prisoners-of-war, and non-combatants. A Beach Party Team consists of  Traffic Control and Salvage,  and Communications.  The Traffic Control Section, provided by Beachmaster Unit TWO, is tasked with controlling the boat traffic in the surf zone, controlling the beaching and retracting the landing craft, and directing the smooth and efficient flow of personnel and material over the beach.  The Communications Section establishes visual and radio communications with the Primary Control Ship and enters prescribed radio nets. BPT's typically deploy with the following vehicles: one Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement ( MTVR); two 1½-ton HMMWVs (one camp-support and one communication-support); and two LARC Vs.  Vehicle characteristics are provided below. http://www.bmu2.surfor.navy.mil/Site%20Documents/Mission.aspx BMU-2 can trace its history back to the days of World War II. Early on during the Second World War, it quickly became apparent that the orderly flow of troops, equipment, and supplies across the assault beaches was an absolutely essential element to the success of amphibious operations. It also became obvious that some special organization was needed to effect and coordinate mass movement through the surf zone and onto the hostile shore. To accomplish this task, small units called Beach Party Teams were formed. They were trained at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia, and deployed commencing in September 1942. The Beach Party Battalions went forward to participate in amphibious landing in the European and African theaters. In the Central Pacific, the Shore Party was an integral part of a combat division and was organized around a Marine Pioneer Group or Army Combat Engineer Group. In both services, Army and Marine, the Shore Party formed the nucleus to which the various elements were assigned for an operation. The Naval elements included the Underwater Demolition Team, a Naval Pontoon Unit, and a Boat Pool. The Attack Transport ships (APAs) supplied the Beach Party elements of the Shore Party by providing a Beach Party Team of approximately two officers and thirty men to support the battalion landing of troops. The Beach Party Team would land at the objective area and take charge of the beach in a manner similar to that of the present, but they were normally withdrawn with the parent ship. The concept was that the Shore Party was an instrument of the assault and would be relieved promptly by garrison elements, including a garrison beach party, to unload follow–up shipping. Early BeachMaster in WWII Early operations in the Southwest Pacific were largely shore-to-shore operations over relatively short distances. The Army’s Engineer Special Brigade was organized to meet requirements of this type of operation. It had the capability of providing its own landing craft component, organized as a Boat Battalion. The required Beach Party elements were assigned from special pools maintained and trained by the amphibious force commander. They remained attached to the Engineer Special Brigade for the duration of the operation. In the Mediterranean, Army Combat Engineer troops again formed the nucleus for the Shore Party. The Beach Parties were furnished by the Amphibious Fleet Tug’s (ATF) attack transport ships and from a boat pool maintained ashore. During the assault on Normandy, experienced Army and Navy amphibious elements were available for the Shore Party operations. The Boat Battalions, organized with the Engineer Special Brigade, were not employed in the European Theater. After studying post-WWII battle analyses and organization, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps reviewed the requirements for Shore Party operations and established new organizations. Today’s Landing Force Support Party (LFSP) within the Marine Corps replaces the WWII Shore Party. The LFSP provides the landing force with initial combat support and combat service support during the ship-to-shore movement. (The Engineer Amphibious Brigade is the Army’s counterpoint to the Marine’s LFSP.) The post-war analysis also led to the Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO) decision to commission naval beach groups as afloat commands assigned to the two Amphibious Forces. Beachmasters on LARC during WWII The first to be commissioned on July 19, 1948 at Little Creek Amphibious Base, Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG-2) consisted of a small headquarters section, a Construction Battalion (CB), and two Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT). The Naval Beach Group (NBG) was established to provide naval elements to the ATF to support the landing of a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) or to the Maritime Pre-positioning Forces to offload equipment and supplies for a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) ashore. In 1949, two commissioned units were added; Boat Unit TWO, which maintained and operated the large assault landing craft for the ship-to-shore movement of troops and equipment; and Beachmaster Unit TWO (BMU-2), which maintained the special teams to control boat traffic and conduct boat salvage operation in the surf. Since 1949, BMU-2 assets have been involved in major amphibious exercises and operations in Lebanon, Cuba, Grenada, Desert Storm, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. http://www.bmu2.surfor.navy.mil/Site%20Documents/History.aspx Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 Little Creek, Va. http://www.acu4.surfor.navy.mil/default.aspx To provide combat ready craft that fully meet operational tasking world wide, on time, every time. To accomplish this we provide the best quality training to our people; maintain all craft and equipment in the highest state of readiness through economical, timely, and high quality craftsmanship; provide the best possible administrative, financial, logistical, operational, and technical support. http://www.acu4.surfor.navy.mil/site%20pages/Mission.aspx Recognizing the need for a landing craft with increased capabilities in speed, range, and mobility, the Navy established Assault Landing Craft/Experimental Trials Unit at Panama City, Florida in October 1977 for the purpose of testing two air cushion vehicle prototypes.  Based on test results of JEFF(A), built by Aerojet General Corporation, and JEFF(B), built by Bell Aerospace Textron, the latter was awarded the contract in 1981 to begin the production of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC).  The first LCAC was delivered to Assault Craft Unit 5 (PACFLT) in December 1984.  On 1 February 1986, ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT FOUR was commissioned in Panama City, Florida.  On 18 March 1987, ACU4 accepted delivery of the Atlantic Fleet's first LCAC. Designed to operate from every well deck configured amphibious ship, the LCAC's main mission is to deliver a 60-ton payload to a designated beachhead at speeds in excess of 35 knots.  Combining high speed, exceptional maneuverability, and long-range qualities with the ability to travel over land, the LCAC provides added versatility to our Amphibious Forces. The first LCAC detachment, consisting of three craft from ACU5, deployed to the Western Pacific in June 1987.  Several highly successful operations provided further proof of the LCAC's potential.  ACU4 milestones include Cold Weather Testing at the Air Force's Climatic Control Hangar, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from July 1987 to September 1987.  These tests successfully demonstrated that the LCAC is able to operate in a temperature range of -30F to +160F.  In October of 1987, ACU4 participated with Air Force M.A.S.H.. units from Tyndall Air Force Base in Exercise TEQUILA SUNRISE, providing logistics support utilizing the LCAC for equipment insertion and extraction across the beach.   In early November 1987, ACU4 changed homeports from Panama City, Florida to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk Virginia. On 10 November 1987, ACU4 placed three LCAC in operation from their newly constructed  multimillion-dollar LCAC complex.   For the past 10 years, ACU4 LCAC have been deployed throughout the world and taken part in all major amphibious operations.  In 1990-91, LCAC were deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In 1993, LCAC were present in Somalia were used to bring Marines and equipment ashore in support of United Nations actions to restore order to the region.  In 1994, LCAC took part in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT in Haiti.  In recent years, LCAC have also operated successfully in support of operations in Bosnia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  Most recently LCAC were sent to the Caribbean to provide humanitarian assistance to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic after Hurricane George devastated the area. Along with operational tasking, LCAC are being used as test platforms for new missions and equipment upgrades.  Currently LCAC are being tested with state of the art electronics and ordnance which will allow LCAC to act as a new mine clearance, lane breaching system vehicle.  LCAC have proven to be extremely reliable and provide the operational commander with a significant capability when planning any mission. The LCAC will remain in our amphibious inventory well into the next century.  http://www.acu4.surfor.navy.mil/site%20pages/history.aspx Assault Craft Unit 4 U.S Hover Craft http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM34gHzPKG4 _________________ U. S. Navy Veteran  August 1977 to July 1983 Yoeman Second Class, with student pilot's license
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