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By Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Gordon
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Prior to any amphibious operation, a beach survey team must inspect the proposed landing beach to make sure it can support the operation.
Assault Craft Unit 4 Detachment Officer in Charge Senior Chief Petty Officer Randy Searcy and Beach Master Unit 2 Petty Officer 2nd Class Randy Ruper, both attached to USS Nassau, recently traveled to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti to inspect the camp's surrounding beaches.
An amphibious operation requires many hours of planning, cooperation between Sailors and Marines, and precise execution. But none of it can happen if the beach isn't clear.
"A lot goes into finding out if a beach is suitable for an amphibious operation," said Searcy. "Factors include depth of the water, current, tide tables, width of the beach and accessibility to the mainland. Primarily, accessibility is key."
Searcy explained that air cushioned landing craft can go over nearly any surface, but if a terrain is too rugged, it can tear the bag containing the air cushion the craft rides on. A clean beach prevents this from being a concern. But getting the craft ashore is only the first step.
"My job on the survey team is to see how good the beach is for the beach master unit," said Ruper. "My main concerns are whether or not the beach is safe for personnel, require a security detachment, how good is the soil, and how easy it will be to get vehicles and supplies on and off the beach.
"If the soil on and around the beach is too soft, our vehicles can get stuck, and then supplies and vehicles can't get off the beach. So if the survey is done incorrectly, the whole operation can be compromised."
"Without doing the surveys, you can effectively ruin or stall an entire operation because the vehicles and supplies necessary for its accomplishment are bogged down on the beach instead of going to where they are needed ashore," said Searcy.
Once the beach survey is completed, the beach survey team's findings are utilized for mission planning.
The Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently supporting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the
5th Fleet area of responsibility.
NAS ARG is comprised of ships from Amphibious Squadron Eight including the Tarawa-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde and the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit complete the group.
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2010 10:27 |
| Story ID: | 48882 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 309 |
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