Tag Archives: Director of Operational Test and Evaluation

Marine Corps: New Training Unit Will Improve Marines’ Transitioning from AAV to ACV Operations

Marine Corps: New Training Unit Will Improve Marines’ Transitioning from AAV to ACV Operations

An ACV with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division onshore and USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and two Navy safety boats in the water. USNI News Photo

Revamped instruction at a schoolhouse at Camp Pendleton, Calif., will help the Marine Corps better train Marines to operate the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle and prevent more rollover incidents, the service announced Wednesday. Read More

Steel Knight Exercise Tests Marine, Navy Integration in ‘Island Fight’ Scenario 

Steel Knight Exercise Tests Marine, Navy Integration in ‘Island Fight’ Scenario 

U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, jump from a U.S. Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter with 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during helocast training as part of Steel Knight 23 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 2, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A pair of helicopter gunships swept over a scrubby valley and waited overhead as the first two MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors landed on the dusty landing zone. The rear-mounted machine guns provided cover as Marines raced into the nearby brush. Far to the south, another force of Marines went ashore via landing craft from San Diego, Calif.-based dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49). Read More

First Marine Platoon of Operational ACVs Training with USS Anchorage for Deployment Later This Year

First Marine Platoon of Operational ACVs Training with USS Anchorage for Deployment Later This Year

A Marine with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division onshore after training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on March 13, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The nearly dozen amphibious combat vehicles swam toward the shore, their shuttered hatches providing long-slung silhouettes in the Pacific as USS Anchorage (LPD-23) lingered a mile offshore. Two Navy safety boats from the amphibious transport dock ship trailed in slight swells as the ACVs rolled onto the California sands. Read More

Marines Look to Redefine Naval Warfighting as ACV Testing Continues

Marines Look to Redefine Naval Warfighting as ACV Testing Continues

Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) with the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division return to the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD-23) during waterborne training in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 13, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marine Corps’ plan to resume waterborne operations with Navy ships takes a big step when assault combat vehicle crews and infantry Marines team up for the next stage of return-to-water training. Read More

Marines' ACV Resume Water Operations from USS Anchorage After Operational Pause

Marines’ ACV Resume Water Operations from USS Anchorage After Operational Pause

Marines assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct waterborne training with an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) from shore to loading amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD-23) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

Marines put their amphibious combat vehicles out to sea over the weekend in a resumption of waterborne and well-deck operations with Navy ships, ending a five-month pause after problems arose with the ACV’s tow-rope system. Read More

Marine Corps Suspends ACV Waterborne Operations for Faulty Towing Mechanism

Marine Corps Suspends ACV Waterborne Operations for Faulty Towing Mechanism

An Amphibious Combat Vehicle operated by Marines with the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, departs the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of the vehicle’s developmental testing off the shore of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps ordered an immediate stop to any waterborne operation of its fleet of amphibious combat vehicles until it resolves an issue with a troubled towing mechanism, the service announced Friday afternoon. Read More

Marines Defend ACV Development as Program Matures

Marines Defend ACV Development as Program Matures

An Amphibious Combat Vehicle with the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, is staged in preparation to depart the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of the vehicle’s developmental testing off the shore of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 28, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps’ 20-year odyssey to replace its 1970s-era amphibious vehicle has hit more than a few roadblocks, but after months of operational testing, the service says the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle program is on its way to joining the fleet in earnest. Read More