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LCAC Fliers Provide Big Lift for Essex

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061122-03
Release Date: 11/22/2006 8:06:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael D. Kennedy, USS Essex Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- The “Swift Intruders” of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Western Pacific Detachment Alfa, based in Sasebo, Japan, are providing essential movement of personnel and equipment during USS Essex's (LHD 2) Fall patrol.

Piloting two landing craft air cushions (LCACs), the 30 members of the ACU 5 detachment embarked on Essex fulfill the need to quickly and efficiently move whatever is required ashore. Annually, the detachment moves approximately 4,000 tons of personnel, equipment and supplies in support of whatever the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) requires.

Primarily used for the insertion of Marines during amphibious landings, the LCAC is a large hovercraft capable of carrying 60 tons of supplies, vehicles and personnel. They can ‘fly’ up to a 100 miles at speeds greater than 50 knots.

“The Marines and the Navy really appreciate what we bring to the table in the way of our load capabilities, and we work well with the Marines because we cross-train extensively with them,” said LCAC Navigator, Chief Operations Specialist Christopher J. Wyatt.

However, being forward-deployed and having such tremendous carrying ability has proved invaluable for a variety of missions in the region in addition to bilateral training exercises, including humanitarian aid/disaster relief (HA/DR). ACU 5 and their LCACs delivered food, water and supplies to remote locations not accessible by conventional landing craft during the relief effort following the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami that killed more 200,000 people and left millions more homeless after it destroyed thousands of miles of coastline.

ACU 5’s LCACs also delivered Marines and heavy equipment ashore on the Island of Leyte, Philippines, following a landslide that destroyed a village earlier this year.

With the average LCAC at more than 20 years old and possessing very complex mechanical and electrical systems and subsystems, the LCACs need constant attention.

“Ninety-nine percent of the maintenance done on the boats [LCACs] is done by Sailors out here, not by civilian contractors,” said Detachment Officer-in-Charge, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph G. Valdez. “I am proud of that fact. We have great people working very hard here keeping these boats flying.”

Essex is currently conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG) based out of Sasebo, Japan, serving under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force (CTF) 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan