ACU 5: An Exciting Alternative To Shipboard Life
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS030520-04
Release Date: 5/20/2003 6:02:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Michael Glenn, USS Boxer Public Affairs
ABOARD USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- "I love life at sea." Those words can be heard every day aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) by Sailors who venture into the ship's well deck and onto Landing Craft (LC) 52, one of three Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) embarked aboard Boxer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The craft and its load master, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Eric Finch, are attached to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. They've been aboard Boxer since the ship departed San Diego Jan. 17 for the Arabian Gulf.
According to Finch, the mission of ACU-5 is to put landing forces - both U.S. Marine vehicles and troops - ashore.
"This job is exciting," Finch said. "It's important, too, because without us, there'd be fewer ways to get the Marines from ship to shore."
Landing Craft 52 and the other LCACs on Boxer were instrumental in Operation Iraqi Freedom; they were used to transport the bulk of the Marine units on Boxer to Kuwait, where the Marines began their long march to Baghdad.
Finch said each LCAC has a 60-ton payload and can transport a wide variety of vehicles, including U.S. Marine 5-ton trucks, HMM-Vs, amphibious assault vehicles, light assault vehicles and the U.S. Army's M1A1 tank and tank retriever.
The LCACs have four main engines and two generators. Two large fans on the rear of the craft are used for steering and propulsion, and can move the LCAC at speeds in excess of 50 knots. Unloaded, an LCAC weighs nearly 200,000 pounds.
A crew of only six people operates this mighty machine, one of the most versatile hovercrafts the world has ever seen. That crew includes a craft master, craft engineer, navigator, load master and two deck engineers.
"It's certainly different from being part of ship's company," Finch said. "Being part of such a small crew, it really is like we're all family. We all know one another really well, and we sit together at picnics and (other social engagements). I really like it."
Craft Engineer for LC-52, Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Wilton Law, agreed with Finch.
"It's great to be part of such a small crew," said Law.
Law said his job on LC-52 is definitely a big change from being stationed on a destroyer, which is how he spent his first 12 years in the Navy.
"It's kind of an unconventional job compared to working on a ship," said Law. "We get to leave the ship and go hit the shore pretty often - certainly more than ship's company."
He also said being in ACU-5 has some other advantages over shipboard life.
"Being part of ship's company, you're involved in the daily routine of the ship, whereas here you're not as involved with the routine. So, you have a lot more time to concentrate on your job, and you can get things done a lot quicker," said Law.
As exciting as the mission of ACU-5 may be, there is still a certain element of danger.
"If we were ever to go to a hot beach [hostile territory] things could get pretty intense," Finch said.
Along with his duties as load master, Finch is also port lookout during craft evolutions. His lookout station consists of a four-sided 'window' peeking out above the port side of the craft.
"All I've got is that window and my M-60," said Finch.
According to Deck Engineer Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) 3rd Class Beth Beyer, there are other dangers, as well.
"Our job can be dangerous because there is always the potential of going to a hot beach," said Beyer. "But there's also the possibility that you could get run over when we're loading vehicles onto the craft, or get trapped underneath a vehicle or something like that. Then if you're outside while the craft is moving, you have to watch out and not get too close to the propeller or you could get sucked in. So there are some dangers, but really it's only dangerous if you don't pay attention to what you're doing."
In spite of the dangers, Finch and the rest of the crew assigned to LC-52 said there's nowhere else in the world, or the Navy, they'd rather be.
"What can I say?" said Finch. "I love life at sea."
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