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The History:
Assault Amphibious
Vehicles are tracked armored vehicles that can transport 24 Marines
or 10,000 pounds of cargo in hostile land and water operations. The
AAV is armed with the UGWS (up-gunned weapons station), which mounts
an M2 .50 caliber machine gun and a Mk-19 40mm grenade launcher.
AAVs can travel at highway speeds for up to 400 miles inland and at
speeds of up to 10 knots through water. The AAV is the only armored
vehicle in the U.S. that is fully capable of operating on land and
in the ocean.
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Trackers rarely need anything extra. They can live with the bare
essentials: combat vehicle crewman uniforms, steel toe boots,
gloves, eye protection, flak, Kevlar, rifle, sling, 9/16ths wrench,
15/16ths wrench and a sleeping system. Everything necessary is
already inside the AAV. Outside of the gear that trackers are
supposed to have, there isn't anything that they would need. But
Williams has his essentials. He packs Monsters, Ramen noodles and a
portable camp stove — necessities as he calls them. U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Cpl. William Jackson, March 4, 2013
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3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion was originally activated
Sept. 16, 1942, and was assigned to 3rd Marine Division. The
battalion was known as 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion until
1976, when the battalion was redesignated under its current
name.
The battalion played a role in major conflicts
in American history and has traveled extensively across the
world during training and combat deployments. They have
deployed to New Zealand, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and
Vietnam, in addition to supporting Operations Desert Shield,
Desert Storm, Restore Hope, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring
Freedom.
3rd AABn was reassigned to 1st Marine
Division in 1971 and they are currently under the command of
Lt. Col. Howard F. Hall.
The Job, 1833: Assault
Amphibious Vehicle Crewman
Marines with 3rd AABn carry
the surface assault element of a landing force and their
equipment in a single trip during amphibious operations to
inland objectives. After they hit the shore, the battalion
conducts mechanized operations and related combat support.
Crewmen get the infantry where they need to go. They
get them as close as possible while providing supporting
fire as they assault an objective.
“We carry the
infantry into the fight,” said Sgt. David Williams, crew
chief, 3rd AABn. “We provide heavy weapons and a mobile
asset. We're like the overhead watch.”
They provide
sustained amphibious and ground mechanized support to the
assault elements, as directed, and they are tasked to
support units by clearing minefields and other obstacles
during amphibious-operations.
In addition to their
combat related duties, AAV crewmen are responsible for
operating and maintaining their vehicles and weapons
systems.
“The first thing a tracker takes pride in is
his vehicle,” Williams said. “If (the AAV) isn't up and
running, you're either humping or getting a ride with
somebody else.
“Every day with an AAV is really
maintenance, maintenance, maintenance,” Williams said. “You
always have to keep on top of the vehicle.”
Crewmen
constantly maintain their vehicles and are constantly
training. They pass on their knowledge to ensure the future
of the battalion.
“As an individual you take a lot of
pride in your vehicle,” said Cpl. Zachary Hendry, crew
chief, 3rd AABn. “You want your Marines learning something
new every time you're out in the field. You want them to
know more than you do when they replace you.”
Crewmen:
The AAV rear crewman, who
prepares the AAV to employ troops and weapons during
ship-to-shore movements and shore operations, performs
maintenance on the vehicle and weapons station. The AAV
driver operates and drives the AAV during movement,
positions the AAV to fire on target, performs additional
maintenance and operational duties. The AAV commander
supervises all maintenance and operation of the AAV, assumes
leadership and responsibility for the vehicle and crew as a
whole.
The
Essentials:
Trackers rarely need anything extra.
They can live with the bare essentials: combat vehicle
crewman uniforms, steel toe boots, gloves, eye protection,
flak, Kevlar, rifle, sling, 9/16ths wrench, 15/16ths wrench
and a sleeping system. Everything necessary is already
inside the AAV.
Outside of the gear that trackers are supposed to have,
there isn't anything that they would need. But Williams has
his essentials. He packs Monsters, Ramen noodles and a
portable camp stove — necessities as he calls them.
Williams and Hendry also made it very clear that trackers
never bring anything that has apricots in the ingredients
aboard the AAV. Things just go wrong.
“Anything that
has apricots in it and is brought on an AAV, it's bound to
break down or sink,” Williams said. “That's our kryptonite.”
“That is true for AAVs Marine Corps-wide,” Hendry said.
“But in all reality these are just old AMTRACKS,” Williams
said.
“It's the apricots,” Hendry fired back. “(The
AAVs) aren't old.”
By USMC Cpl. William Jackson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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