Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1, and Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1 routinely work hand-in-hand to conduct training in Southern California.

The two commands, located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado are both integral to conducting amphibious operations, including the safe transfer of personnel and resources from ship to shore.

"These trainings are extremely important in that they provide repetition, which is beneficial to maintaining a high level of readiness for our unit. It also allows us to recertify our craftsmasters every year," said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph G. Martinez, ACU-1's landing craft officer.

In order to land successfully, BMU-1 utilizes their vehicles to establish a beach head for the incoming Landing Craft Utility (LCU).

A High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), along with two Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) vehicles assemble in triangular formation on the beach to create a fixed point as an LCU lane. The HMMWV marks the center of the beach and boat lane, the LARCs mark the left and right flank.

In addition, a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) serves as a reference point for the LCU craftmaster, that allows him or her to steer at a proper angle as the craft approaches the beach. Once the beach head has been established by BMU-1 and the beach is open, personnel, along with their equipment, can come ashore.

"What is misunderstood are the challenges that we have to face during these training evolutions," stated Martinez. "The craftsmaster has to take into consideration the amount of weight he or she is maneuvering in addition to ensuring the safety of the crewmembers. The process allows very little room for mistakes," adds Martinez.

Martinez also explains that the craftsmaster has to factor in the beach landing itself. While the LCU is landed and taking on vehicles, the craftmaster must continue to carefully use the engines to drive forward to keep the craft perpendicular to the beach, while taking into consideration the forces of non-controllable elements such as currents, tides, and winds.

An LCU can carry two LARCs, one bulldozer, one HMMWV, and one MTVR. It can reach a speed of up to 11 knots. The mission of ACU-1 mission is to train, equip, and deploy assault craft and crews to support amphibious ready group and maritime prepositioning force operations.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 3, visit www.navy.mil/.