The U.S. Marine Corps recently marked a significant milestone in its operational capabilities with the debut of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) during the Balikatan 2024 exercises in the Philippines. This event not only underscored the advanced amphibious warfare capabilities of the Marine Corps but also served as a strategic message amidst rising regional tensions.
In a statement, Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), lauded the Marines’ efforts, stating, “The hard work and dedication of our Marines is what made today’s training successful.” Dynan emphasized that the training “is a proof of concept across the Marine Corps for successful ACV employment in its intended environment.”
The ACVs, embarked on the USS Harpers Ferry, showcased their capabilities by conducting a live-fire exercise in the strategic waters of Oyster Bay, Palawan. As reported, the ACVs utilized their remote-controlled Mk 19 automatic grenade launchers to engage shore-based targets, demonstrating the enhanced firepower and tactical mobility of these new platforms.
The Marines operated the ACVs with a keen sense of the vehicles’ history, as the ACV had previously been involved in rollovers in 2022, leading to a temporary halt in operations and a recertification process for crews. Despite the tragic on-land rollover incident that resulted in the death of Sgt. Matthew Bylski, the Corps has since recertified its crews, and the 15th MEU deployed to the Pacific with the ACVs.
This operational use of the ACV is particularly significant, as it comes after the 2020 incident that claimed the lives of eight Marines and one sailor, leading to the replacement of the legacy Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) with the newer, eight-wheeled ACVs. BAE Systems developed the ACV under a substantial contract, delivering a modern platform that aligns with the Marine Corps’ strategy of becoming a distributed, light strike force equipped for Pacific island combat.
Despite the notable absence of the USS Boxer, which experienced engineering issues, the ACV deployment proceeded with the available resources, proving the adaptability and resilience of the U.S. forces. Capt. Colin Kennard, a public affairs officer with Balikatan, noted that “planners were able to adjust exercise activities to meet bilateral training objectives, given the equipment and personnel available.”
Relevant articles:
– Marines’ New Amphibious Combat Vehicle Makes Operational Debut in Annual Philippines Exercise, Military, 05/08/2024
– VIDEO: Marine ACVs Make Operational Premiere in Balikatan 2024 Exercise, USNI News, 05/07/2024
– Marines put new amphibious vehicle to work in Philippines during first overseas deployment, Stars and Stripes, 05/07/2024
– Marines’ New Amphibious Combat Vehicles Mark Operational Debut in Pacific Exercise, Times of San Diego, 05/05/2024
– US Holds ‘Ground-Breaking Drills’ In China’s Backyard; F/A-18 Super Hornet Involved In Historic Milestone, EurAsian Times, 05/06/2024