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Nassau Beach Survey, the First Step in Amphibious Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100430-29
4/30/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick Gordon, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Two Sailors attached to USS Nassau (LHA 4), traveled to Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti to inspect the camp's surrounding beaches April 22.

Assault Craft Unit 4 Detachment Officer in Charge Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Randy Searcy and Beach Master Unit 2 Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Randy Ruper, visited the areas as part of a standard protocol prior to any amphibious operation. The beach survey team inspects the proposed landing beach to ensure the area will support the operation.

Amphibious operations require hours of planning, cooperation between Sailors and Marines and precise execution, none of which can happen if the beach hasn't been cleared, according to Searcy.

"A lot goes into finding out if a beach is suitable for an amphibious operation," said Searcy. "Factors include depth of the water, current, tide tables, width of the beach and accessibility to the mainland. Primarily, accessibility is key."

Air cushioned landing craft can go over nearly any surface, but if a terrain is too rugged, it can tear the bag containing the air cushion on which the craft rides. While a clean beach prevents this from being a concern, getting the craft ashore is only the first step.

"My job on the survey team is to see how good the beach is for the beach master unit," said Ruper. "My main concerns are whether or not the beach is safe for personnel, require a security detachment, how good is the soil and how easy it will be to get vehicles and supplies on and off the beach."

"Without doing the surveys, you can effectively ruin or stall an entire operation because the vehicles and supplies necessary for its accomplishment are bogged down on the beach instead of going to where they are needed ashore," said Searcy.

Once the beach survey is completed, the beach survey team's findings are utilized for mission planning.

The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are currently supporting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of ships from Amphibious Squadron 8 including the Tarawa-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Marines from the 24 MEU complete the group.