SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Marine Corps will keep its new amphibious warfare vehicle — sort of like a marine tank — out of the water while it investigates why two of the vehicles ran into trouble off the coast of Southern California this week amid in heavy surf, military officials said Wednesday.
No Marines or sailors were injured when one of the vehicles overturned on its side Tuesday in waves that were unusually high due to a Southern Hemisphere storm. The other was rendered inoperable when waves up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) high pounded the shoreline.
The mishaps prompted soldiers to jump out of their vehicles and head ashore at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego. The mishaps were first reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The new vehicles were introduced to replace Vietnam War-era amphibious assault vehicles, one of which was involved in one of the Marine Corps’ deadliest training incidents of its kind two years ago off the coast of Southern California.
Lieutenant General David J. Furness, the Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, said officials decided to suspend water operations involving the newer vehicles as a precaution while an investigation is underway. The Marine Corps will continue to use the vehicles for land operations.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Furness said in a statement. The effort will allow time to “ensure that our assault amphibian community remains ready to support our nation,” he added.
In an amphibious accident on July 30, 2020, eight Marines and one sailor died when the vehicle sank rapidly in 385 feet (117 meters) of water off San Clemente Island. Seven of the Marines were rescued.
A Marine Corps investigation found that inadequate training, poor maintenance and poor judgment by leaders led to the sinking.
The Marines use the amphibious vehicles to transport troops and their equipment from Navy ships to land. The armored vehicles, which have machine guns and grenade launchers, look like tanks as they roll ashore for assaults on the beaches, and the Marines run out of them to take up positions.
Add Comment