Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 celebrated their five year anniversary, Aug. 1, at its maintenance facility in Yokose, Japan.

The command was commissioned on Aug. 1, 2012 and is an operational unit that directly contributes to the core capabilities of U.S. maritime sea power and provides the movement of troops, equipment, vehicles and supplies from amphibious ships to shore.

Sailors brought their friends and family to the facility for a tour that provided insight into the roles and capabilities of NBU 7.

"I learned a lot about the LCACs and LCUs." said Daniela Kiefer, a spouse of NBU 7. "I didn't know they could fit so many vehicles."

NBU 7 is composed of landing craft air cushion (LCAC), landing craft utility (LCU) and a beach landing team (BLT) that support the movement of troops, equipment, vehicles and supplies from amphibious shipping to beaches around the world.

"It's great to see how they work together to get everything to move," said Kiefer.

The day included an LCAC demonstration, games for children, a cake cutting ceremony and tours of vehicles and maintenance facilities.

"This was a great opportunity to demonstrate are capabilities to our friends and family." said NBU 7 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bob Jones.

The NBU 7 maintenance facility was completed in 2012 and is capable of supporting 12 LCACs. Its location was selected to minimize the noise that would affect Japanese residents. There are two hangar bays used for maintenance and two hush houses that are designed to reduce the noise output of LCACs during calibrations and performance runs.

NBU 7 is homeported in Sasebo, Japan and embarks aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and USS Germantown (LSD 42).

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.