A Landing Craft Air Cushioned kicks up some dust as it comes off the shore, crosses the street and manuevers into an open field in Townsville, Australia, March 13 during the start of sustainment training exercises in the area. The LCAC is transporting Marines from the Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable) Camp Pendleton, Calif., who are on a routine six-month deployment through the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez

Marines land in Australia for sustainment training

13 Mar 2006 | Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA -- The Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable) caused a sensation with the locals here when they rode their Landing Craft Air Cushioned from the sea right into the Port of Townsville. Entire families came out to enjoy the sunny day and witness and photograph the rare sight of an LCAC maneuvering off the shore, crossing a major street and landing in a nearby field.

The Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU (SOC), Camp Pendleton, Calif., came ashore from the USS Peleliu, USS Germantown and USS Ogden to conduct scheduled sustainment training here that is necessary to maintain mission readiness and enhance war fighting skills. The three ships are part of the Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and are on a six-month deployment through the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf.

Marines and sailors also came ashore on Landing Craft Utilities. The LCAC and LCU’s not only transported landing forces but also transported various vehicles, tanks and light armored vehicles ashore.

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