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ACU 5 Brings Royal Thai Marines Ashore

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050627-09
Release Date: 6/27/2005 11:29:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand (NNS) -- Forty-four Royal Thai Marines (RTM) waged a strike at Had Yao beach here June 25 after arriving in two U.S. Navy LCACs (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) during an exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005 amphibious warfare assault scenario.

“The Marines seem motivated and ready to hit the ground running,” said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Steve Alt, officer-in-charge of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Det. Western Pacific Alfa aboard USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), as he prepared to get his craft up on cushion and transport the Marines two and one-half miles to the beach.

The Marines were picked up by the LCACs the day before during an exercise rehearsal and transported to Fort McHenry, where they spent the night before waging the sunrise assault.

“The ship and the LCACs seem to work systematically and very well as a team,” noted RTM Lt. Praiwan Janjae, officer-in-charge of the 7th Battalion, 3rd Regiment.

LCACs operate from well deck-equipped amphibious ships and move troops, equipment and supplies from ship to shore and over the beach.

Thai forces also were transported to the beach from amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) launched from the amphibious support ship HTMS Sichang (LST 721), which was operating in tandem with Fort McHenry. Although AAVs and LCACs play a similar role in transporting troops, the rides are different.

“The LCAC is faster than an AAV and it has more room,” said Janjae. “LCACs make my force feel fresh and good. If my force feels good landing, then they are ready to do their mission.”

In preparation for the mission, Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1, Det. Western Pacific, embarked in Fort McHenry to support the LCACs, spent two days and nights at the exercise site ensuring the beach was ready for the landing craft.

“We pick up debris along the beach in order to provide a safe landing area for the craft, so the Marines who disembark don’t get struck by flying debris stirred up by the LCACs' propellers,” said Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW/SW/AW) Michael Jones, leading petty officer of the detachment aboard Fort McHenry.

Once the Marines were safely on the beach, a torrential downpour did not prevent them from securing positions along the coastline and advancing inland to their objective, which was to destroy a simulated terrorist training camp and recover contraband.

CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of several Southeast Asian nations.

Thailand is the second stop for the four-ship-strong U.S. Navy CARAT task group led by Capt. Buzz Little, commander, Destroyer Squadron 1.

Approximately 1,200 U.S. personnel are participating in CARAT along with some1, 600 RTM and Royal Thai Navy troops.