Join Us On This 30-Ton Amphibious Assault Craft As We Storm The Beaches
The bottom or well deck of the amphibious ship is loaded with vehicles. When AAV's launch, they'll partially flood this area with water.
There's only one way in, one way out. Marines file into the back and up the ramp that will seal behind them.
It's no pleasure cruise. It's really hot, cramped, and smells of diesel fuel.
Inside the ship's well deck, the AAV is 'buttoned-up', or sealed. No windows, no idea what's happening outside. Just you and your fellow Marines waiting.
And then when they say 'Launch', it's a 30-ton amtrack flying out the back of the ship.
All that weight certainly makes a big splash.
Luckily for the 25 Marines in the back, it comes back up to the surface and heads into shore.
But they don't go it alone. The Marines have Amphibious Assault Battalions with plenty of AAVs to take riflemen into the fight.
The crew of three Marine Trackers are the only ones with a view when it's in the water.
It's powered by a 400 horsepower engine that can do 8 mph in the water and 45 mph once it hits land.
Once they hit the beach, the 'Trackers will tell the Marines in the back.
And some will stand up on the seats, providing security and scouting ahead.
The tracks are outfitted with impressive weaponry for use on the beach or beyond.
40 mm grenade launcher, .50 caliber machine gun, or 25 mm Bushmaster cannon (that last one is the favorite).
And the troops are well-protected inside from small arms with the AAV's 45 mm armor.
Once they reach the release point, the ramp drops and you'll hear 'Go! Go! Go!'
This is a vulnerable time for Marines, so they need to move fast, get away from the AAV and not bunch up.
But the AAV definitely makes the Marine Corps the experts in delivering waterborne troops into the fight.
And while AAV's will often stick around with infantry troops, they won't be far from their home onboard the ship.
But in Iraq and Afghanistan, they often operated on land.
Popular Right Now
Advertisement