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Kearsarge Deck Sailors Train for AAV Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041122-12
Release Date: 11/22/2004 4:59:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Kearsarge's (LHD 3) Deck Department Sailors earned valuable underway training with an amphibious vehicle that hasn't been aboard Kearsarge in more than three years.

While underway for PHIBRON Marine Integrated Training (PMINT) from Nov. 15-23 with the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Kearsarge conducted Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) operations, one of the several evolutions designed to integrate the Navy-Marine Corps team in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment.

AAVs are full-tracked landing vehicles that transport troops in amphibious assault operations from ship to shore with the capability to carry 21 combat-equipped troops and 10,000 pounds of cargo. It has a cruising speed on land of 20-30 miles per hour, yet, can only move about six miles per hour in the water.

"The primary responsibility of the AAV during an amphibious operation is to 'spearhead' a beach assault," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Cary Carrigan, leading petty officer for deck's 3rd division. "They are also used for carrying infantry troops and supplies, manning check points, military operations in an urban terrain and escorting food convoys."

The last time Kearsarge operated with AAVs was June 2001, so this evolution not only certified the ship to embark AAVs in the future, but also provided training for Deck personnel, many of whom had never worked with AAVs.

"Although our primary mission in the Well Deck is to launch and recover LCACs (Landing Craft Air Cushion), we still have to be qualified and show the ability to launch and recover AAVs if needed," said Carrigan.

Carrigan said that despite the fact that Kearsarge hadn't had AAVs aboard for more than three years, the event was well coordinated and was executed as planned.

"We held signalman training before the evolution and made sure that all the safety requirements were maintained throughout the whole operation, which resulted in a very successful and mishap-free recovery, positioning and launch of three AAVs," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Suzanne Grandfield.

The training proved to be valuable to deck Sailors as Kearsarge looks ahead to continued training with the Marines and its ESG deployment. Carrigan praised the deck Sailors for making a complex evolution run smoothly.

"Deck Department's leadership and know-how made this a smooth event, showing once again that Deck's versatility and capability to accomplish diverse missions with many assets."