Assault Amphibian Battalion: The Time For Change Is Now AUTHOR Major Howard P. Schick, USMC CSC 1989 SUBJECT AREA - Warfighting EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TITLE: ASSAULT AMPHIBIAN BATTALION: THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW I. Purpose: To establish the validity of changing the AA Bn structure to meet current infantry lift requirements without requiring additional personnel or equipment. II. Problem: Although the Marine Corps has put a great deal of thought into the restructure of the infantry, no one has weighed the impact on its only source of lift for the surface assault element, the AAV unit. III. Data: Current doctrine for an amphibious assault calls for the landing of the surface assault element by assault amphibian vehicles. The organization of the Assault Amphibian Battalion is little changed since World War II. The allocation of an AA Company to support the amphibious assault of an infantry battalion is also unchanged since WW II. In the near future mine clearance systems in the form of line charges and fuel air explosive will be mounted in AAVs from within the AA Bn. Also, a bulk fuel delivery system will also be carried. The Marine Corps has recently restructured its infantry units to add a fourth rifle company to the MEU(SOC) battalions and additional personnel to the other battalions. IV. Conclusions: The recent addition of mobility missions for the AA Bn and the added lift requirement due to the restructuring of infantry units require a change to the AA Bn organization. V. Recommendations: One of the four line companies in the AA Bn should be disbanded and its AAVs and crews reallocated to the other three line companies and H&S Company. With some of these vehicles, a mine clearance platoon should be formed in H&S Company. The remainder of the vehicles will be used to reinforce the other three line companies which will enable them to provide lift for a MEU(SOC) battalion. AA BN: THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW Outline Thesis: Recent changes to the infantry organization and the addition of mobility missions necessitate a change to the Assault Amphibian Battalion structure. I. Current Assault Amphibian structure A. Mission of Battalion B. Battalion structure 1. Company structure 2. Platoon structure C. Historical perspective II. New Mobility Missions A. Countermine 1. Mine Clearance System Kit 2. Catapult Fuel Air Explosive 3. Mine Plow B. Bulk Fuel Delivery System III. Impact of infantry reorganization A. MEU(SOC) designation B. Unit Deployment Plan IV. Budgetary Restraints A. Cuts in end strength 1. Cadre of infantry battalions B. Shortfall in procurement funds V. Solutions A. Role of H&S Company 1. Formation of mine clearance platoon B. Realignment of remaining AAV assets ASSAULT AMPHIBIAN BATTALION: THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW The use of the Navy Marine Corps team as this country's premier force projection asset was described best by an Englishman. Thomas More Molyneux, in 1759, wrote: A military, naval, littoral war, even when wisely prepared and discreetly conducted, is a terrible sort of war. Happily for that people who are sovereigns enough of the sea to put it in execution! For it comes like thunder and lightening to some unprepared part of the world. (7:35) One vital part of the amphibious assault package is the landing of the surface assault elements on a defended beach by Assault Amphibian Vehicles (AAV's). While the debate continues as to the practicality of landing where the enemy is waiting, the requirement still exists, even when discussing the over the horizon (OTH) concept. Even though I believe that the OTH concept is needed due to technological advances in modern weaponry, the fact is the present AAV will be our only means of landing the surface assault elements until the year 2000. The organization of the Assault Amphibian Battalion (AA Bn) is little changed since the task organized companies of World War II. Similar, is the intent of one Assault Amphibian Company (AA Co) being used to meet the lift requirements of an assault infantry battalion. However, recent changes to the infantry organization and the addition of the mobility missions necessitate a change to the AA Bn structure. Fleet Marine Force Manual (FMFM) 9-2 states that the mission of the AA Bn is: To land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives; to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent operations ashore. (9:2-1) To accomplish this mission, the current AA Bn which supports a Marine Division, is composed of a Headquarters and Service (H&S) Company and four assault amphibian companies. The AAV's employed by the Battalion are used to conduct amphibious assaults, during river crossings as part of a mechanized force and during other special operations ashore. The primary mission of the AAV is to transport Marines in tactical situations. If assets permit, AAV's can be used as logistics vehicles. The H&S Company provides command, administrative, maintenance and organic supply support for the battalion. The most important part of the H&S Company in regard to troop lift is the assault amphibian platoon, part of which is the vehicle section which includes (15) AAVP (personnel) vehicles. FMFM 9-2 states that the vehicle section is, "intended for employment appropriate to the tactical solution."(9:2-3) For example, these additional vehicles could be assigned to an AAV Co that has a shortage of troop lift capacity with its own assets. These AAVs could also be used as an organic maintenance float to replace damaged or destroyed AAVs in order to keep AAV Cos as close to full strength as possible. If not required by supported units, they can be used to provide logistical support for the AA Bn. The AA Company has four assault amphibian platoons along with maintenance, communication, headquarters and assault amphibian sections. An AA Company has a total of (43) AAV personnel vehicles (AAVP) in its organization. Each of the four platoons has ten, and the assault amphibian section has an additional three. When added up, the AA Bn has a total of (187) AAVP vehicles to support a Marine Division. When using a planning factor of (22) Marines per vehicle, the total lift capability is (4114). Broken down into smaller units, the AA Company can lift (946) marines while a platoon can lift (220). Historically, the organization of the AA Bn is little changed. In November 1944, the organization of Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) Armored Battalions was described in FMF PAC General Order 39-4 Standing Operation Procedure for LVT's 5 Nov 44 as follows: Armored Amphibian Battalions, often referred to as "Amphibian Tank" Battalions, have a total of 75 armored LVTs and 12 cargo LVTs. They are normally organized into four Armored Amphibian Companies and a Headquarters and Service Company. Each operating company has a total of 18 Armored LVTs distributed among three platoons of five LVTs each, and a company headquarters with three armored and two cargo LVTs. The cargo LVTs are operated by maintenance personnel. One of these is a recovery vehicle. Headquarters and Service Company has three armored and four cargo LVTs all of which are in battalion headquarters. One of the cargo tractors is a recovery vehicle and all of them are operated by maintenance personnel. (6:86) While the total number of vehicles in the Battalion or of the Company is vastly different, the present day concept of four companies and an H&S Company is apparent. FMF PAC General Order goes on further to state, Normally one Armored Amphibian Battalion is assigned to a Division in an assault operation. Within the Division the battalion is further distributed so that during the assault phases of the landing each company of Armored LVT(A)'s will be in direct support of an assault infantry battalion landing team. After the assault phase has been completed, Armored Amphibians will be employed as directed by the Division.(6:86) This allocation of one AA Bn per Division is still followed today. However, due to the difference in vehicle numbers in the AA Companies, an AA Company now supports a Regiment of three battalions vice one assault infantry battalion landing team. When looked at in a historical perspective the size of AAV platoons has constantly changed to meet the needs of the infantry. "During the Korean conflict AAV platoons had (12) vehicles. The US Army Amphibian Tractor Platoons consisted of (15) vehicles. Since the introduction of the Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel Model (5) (LVTP-5) in the l950s, a platoon has consisted of (10) vehicles."(3:71) While the number of vehicles in each platoon remains the same, the troop lift capacity is very different. The LVTP-5 could carry (34) combat equipped infantry personnel. In 1972 the LVTP-7 family of vehicles was introduced. The LVTP-7 was the first water-jet propelled amphibian vehicle. Its hull was designed to improve water propulsion. While water speed was increased, the troop lift capacity was decreased to (25) combat equipped infantry. The total lift capacity was now (250) troops for each AA platoon. In 1983 a service life extension program was initiated wherein all vehicles were converted to the AAVP-7A1. While significant improvements in capability and survivability were instituted, the troop lift capacity was adversely affected. Troop space was made smaller to accomodate a larger engine. Officially the troop lift capacity of the vehicle remained at (25) personnel. However, the actual lift is now (22) for a total of (220) per AA platoon. This reduction in troop lift capacity at the platoon level is carried into the company and battalion level as well. The mission to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift has not changed. Also, the AAV organization has changed very little in over (40) years. However, the vehicle to do so has shown drastic changes, especially in troop lift capacity. A key factor in the need for reorganization of the AA Bn is the introduction of engineer kits to assist in minefield breeching. Due to the size and weight of these kits, AAVs are needed to transport these systems on the battlefield. The Mine Clearance System Kit (MSCK) is designed to be mounted in the AAV personnel model. This system supports amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore by transporting, positioning and detonating a linear demolition charge to clear minefields. The other system introduced is the catapult fuel air explosive (CATFAE) which is also designed to be mounted in the AAV personnel model. It provides mobile land mine countermeasures to support amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore. The key fact which impacts on the AAV organization is that both systems require a dedicated vehicle. The vehicle that carries these systems can't be used to transport infantry. Twelve of each system is expected to be fielded in each Assault Amphibian Battalion (AA Bn). Additionally, the Tactical Bulk Fuel Delivery System (TBFDS) for the AAV is scheduled for introduction. This kit allows the AAV to serve as a highly mobile refueler in support of maneuver elements. Once installed, it is anticipated that the TBFDS will remain in the vehicle for the entire operation. Each AA Bn is scheduled to receive four kits which further reduces the number of AAVs dedicated to the mission of troop lift. Each of these kits will be fielded independently, although (MCSK) and (CATFAE) support battlefield mobility. When taken separately, the fielding of any one kit doesn't appear to have a major impact on the AA Bn mission. However, no additional Assault Amphibian Vehicles are to be provided to the FMF for the purpose of mounting these kits. It's obvious that the fielding of these kits in total will adversely affect the battalion's principal mission of lifting infantry. The AA Bn was never structured to accomplish the mine clearance and bulk fuel delivery mission. The most important and significant impact on the organization of the AA Bn is the current plan to place three infantry battalions in cadre, while increasing the strength of the remaining (24) active battalions. The main reason for this reallocation of personnel and equipment is to add a fourth rifle company to the battalions assigned the Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU(SOC)) commitments. In addition, personnel are being assigned throughout the rest of the structure as ammomen and platoon guides. When these changes are complete, there will be eight battalions with the MEU(SOC) designation which means they will have four rifle companies in each battalion. The 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California will have four battalions and the 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina will have the other four battalions. "The total strength of these MEU(SOC) battalions will be (1184) Marines and sailors, a significant increase. "(5:4) The other (16) infantry battalions, all of which are committed to the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) are in the rotation cycle for Okinawa, Japan. These UDP battalions are divided between the 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California with four battalions, 7th Marine Regiment at Twentynine Palms, California with four battalions and 3d Marine Brigade in Hawaii with three battalions all in the Fleet Marine Force Pacific (FMFPAC) area. In the FMF Atlantic (LANT) area, you have the 2d Marine Regiment with three battalions and the 6th Marine Regiment with two battalions, both at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. "These UDP battalions have a total strength of (965) Marines and sailors. "(5:4) The Marine Corps will maintain four infantry battalions on Okinawa under the UDP program. The 4th and 9th Marine Regiments will each receive two of the infantry battalions. The 3d, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments all from FMFPAC will all provide one of the battalions on a rotational basis, while the other will be assigned from either the 2d or 6th Marine Regiments from FMFLANT. This reorganization of the infantry units has a significant impact on AAV supportability. Using the current doctrine of an AA Company providing the lift required for a reinforced infantry battalion the shortfall is apparent. The (43) vehicles in the present size AA Company will only lift (946) troops for a shortfall of over (200) when talking about a MEU(SOC) battalion with four companies. You still have a shortfall with the UDP battalion of (965) troops which doesn't include the normal reinforcements from the Regimental Headquarters. Also, depending on tactical considerations, other reinforcements such as engineers could be added making the shortfall even greater. The most important point to consider in any attempt to reorganize the AA Bn is that no increase in personnel or equipment is likely. With the current zero growth or low growth budgets expected for the Department of Defense, all the services are faced with end strength reductions and shortfalls in money to procure equipment. As noted earlier, the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) had to cadre three infantry battalions to help add that fourth rifle company to eight battalions and add additional personnel to the other (16) battalions. Any request for increases in personnel are likely to be disapproved. As discussed earlier, the planning associated with the structure of the AA Bn takes into account only the total lift of infantry personnel. It is obvious that the requirement for vehicles to support other missions has not resulted in an increased allocation of vehicles in order to ensure the accomplishment of the primary mission of landing the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift. The best and most practical way to ensure that assault amphibian units can accomplish their primary mission is by providing adequate lift to each infantry unit. Don't change the present allocation to supported units, i.e. an AA platoon supports an infantry company; an AA company supports an infantry regiment; and the AA Bn supports a Marine Division. What you have to do is ensure that they must have the amount of AAV's needed to lift the assault echelon. The only way to accomplish this is by transferring the assets from one line company to the other three to ensure they have the assets needed. To ensure that the new mine clearance and bulk fuel delivery roles are accomplished, I propose that (13) AAVP-7s and one AAVR-7 should be moved from the AA Company to be broken up and transferred to H&S Company. This would form a mine clearance platoon and strengthen the amphibian platoon. The mine clearance platoon as it is now envisioned is the same as FMFM 9-2 dated 17 September 1964 describes it: The mine clearance platoon, headquarters and service company, amphibian tractor battalion, includes the LVTE vehicles and mine clearance personnel organic to the battalion. Personnel augmentation from the division engineer battalion is required during training and actual operations to permit employment of the vehicle. The LVTE is a modified armored amphibian assault personnel and cargo carrier. This vehicle is configured with a rocket-propelled line charge and plow-shaped mine excavator. This vehicle provides a greatly increased capability in the breaching of extensively mined areas and in the reduction of obstacles during the landing and subsequent operations ashore. (8:80) With a few changes in terminology, it is obvious that (25) years later, the Marine Corps has once again discovered the value of mine clearing vehicles. The mine clearance platoon would initially consist of (12) AAVP-7A1s designed to carry the Mine Clearance System Kit (MSCK) since it is scheduled to be fielded before CATFAE. Each vehicle would have its normal organic crew with augmentation by engineer personnel for training and operation. The platoon would be broken down into six sections of two vehicles each. The remaining two AAVs would be moved to the amphibian platoon for use. By providing additional vehicles to H&S Company, the assets of the tractor section in the amphibian platoon are still available. These vehicles can still provide an extra lift to an AA Company or can provide internal logistics support to the AA Bn as a whole. The remaining (30) AAVP-7A1s and three AAVC-7A1s would be divided equally among the three remaining AA companies. Each of the new reinforced AA companies would now have (53) AAVP-7A1s, four AAVC-7A1s and their original one AAVR-7A1. This would increase the lift capability of each AA company by (220) troops. By doing this, each of the AA Companies could provide the lift need to carry a MEU(SOC) battalion which has four rifle companies. While the extra lift doesn't quite meet the total number of personnel in the battalion, the assault elements and likely reinforcements can be carried in a single lift. Since the total number of battalions and therefore total lift in each regiment is different due to the reorganization, it is not feasible to assign a particular AA company to support a particular regiment. When the Maritime Prepositioned Ship (MPS) and Air-landed Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) concept are considered, the waters are made even muddier for training an AA company to work with a particular regiment. Some believe that with the introduction of the Advanced Assault Amphibian Vehicle (AAAV) in the future, a change is not needed now, but should wait until the new vehicle is fielded with a different troop capacity. Also, the arguments that the present organization has worked so far and that there are always changes in the infantry table of organization have been put forward. However, the recent changes to the force structure of the infantry units are too great to be ignored. The introduction of the Advanced Assault Amphibian Vehicle, while anxiously awaited in the AAV community, is not scheduled for many years. In fact, current plans don't foresee its introduction to the Fleet Marine Force until the year 2000. If past history is any indication, we can expect that date to be moved forward. With at least (11) years before the new vehicle is introduced, something must be done now to correct the current vehicle shortfall in the AA Bn. While it's true that the infantry structure changes periodically, we can't assume it will change again in the near future. These latest changes are too significant to ignore. The benefits of having AA units the proper size to support the infantry is obvious. The AA Company that supports a regiment by lifting its surface assault battalion should not be a composite unit. Task organization is good for a temporary situation but the marriage of AAV and infantry doesn't stop at the high water mark. The mechanized operation part of the mission statement is critical. Since doctrine dictates our finding a lightly defended beach to land on and then moving rapidly to engage a highly mobile enemy, it is imperative that the AA Bn have the assets to perform its mission without reorganizing while in the attack. The time to reorganize is now, prior to crossing the line of departure heading for the beach. 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