Section 109 Amphib Ops

Question 0

Discuss the mission and functions of an Amphibious Task (ATF)

Answer 0

• Success of the ship-to-shore movement of the landing force and its essential equipment, the most critical phase of an amphibious assault, requires the closest coordination of naval and landing force elements in the detailed preparatory planning for and the actual execution of the movement.
• The amphibious task force (AFT) commander exercises overall control of ship-to-shore movement.
• The movement from ship to shore involves all elements of the force, either directly or in a support function.

Question 1

State the sequence of events for each of the following phases of amphibious operations:

Answer 1

PERMA

1. Planning - “The planning phase begins with the receipt of the initiating directive or the issuing of the LF/MAGTF activation order
2. Embarkation - The embarkation phase is the period during which the forces, with their equipment and supplies, move to staging areas and embarks in assigned shipping
3. Rehearsal - The rehearsal phase is the period when the CATF and CLF test the adequacy of plans, make sure that all elements are familiar with plans and test communications
4. Movement - Movement Phase is the phase during which the elements of the ATF move from the POEs to the AOA
5. Action - The assault phase is the period of time between the arrival of the major assault forces of the ATF in. the objective area and the accomplishment of the Amphibious Task Force mission

Question 2

Discuss the following types of amphibious operations: assault, demonstration, feint, raid

Answer 2

• Assault - An amphibious assault involves the establishment of a LF on a hostile or potentially hostile shore. The organic capabilities of amphibious forces, including fire support, logistics, and mobility, allows the U.S. to gain access to a crisis area by forcible entry. Forcible entry operations can be accomplished through amphibious operations, airborne operations, air assault operations, or a combination of any or all of these forcible entry techniques
• Demonstration - The amphibious demonstration is intended to confuse the enemy as to the time, place, or strength of the main operation. Amphibious demonstrations may be conducted in conjunction with other deception operations in order to delude or confuse the enemy
• Feint - In military deception, an offensive action involving contact with the adversary conducted for the purpose of deceiving the adversary as to the location and/or time of the actual main offensive action
• Raid - An amphibious raid is an operation involving a swift incursion into or the temporary occupation of an assigned mission followed by a planned withdrawal. Amphibious raids are conducted as independent operations or in support of other operations, such as another amphibious landing or land, air, or naval operation

Question 3

Discuss the Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Commander Landing Force (CLF) relationship as it pertains to amphibious operations.

Answer 3

• The amphibious task force commander executes the ship-to – shore movement in accordance with the previously approved plan. Should any major change become necessary; the amphibious task force commander is responsible for making and promulgating the change. Since a major change may affect troop scheme of maneuver, the landing force commander must be consulted
• Should the landing force commander desire to make a change in plans which affects the ship-to-shore movement, he will obtain the approval of the amphibious task force commander, who will then promulgate the change to the naval element of the force

Question 4

LCC

Answer 4

LCC
• USS Blue Ridge Class The assigned mission of the amphibious command ship (LCC) is to function as the command ship for a joint task force as the command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4) platform, or for a naval component commander; numbered fleet commander; commander amphibious task force (CATF); Marine expeditionary force (MEF)

Question 5

LHA

Answer 5

LHA
• USS Tarawa Class The assigned mission of the amphibious assault ship (general purpose) (LHA) is to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and by combinations of these methods

Question 6

LHD

Answer 6

LHD
• USS Wasp Class The assigned mission of the amphibious assault ship (multipurpose) (LHD) is to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and by combinations of these methods. The LHD is assigned a secondary mission of sea control and power projection in which additional fixed-wing vertical/short takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft and helicopters are deployed

Question 7

LPD

Answer 7

LPD
• USS Austin Class The assigned mission of the LPD is to transport and land troops and their essential equipment and supplies in an amphibious assault by means of embarked landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopter lift
• USS San Antonio Class The assigned mission of the LPD-17 class ships is to embark, transport, and land elements of the landing force in an assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious assault vehicles, and by a combination of these methods

Question 8

LSD

Answer 8

LSD
• USS Anchorage Class The assigned mission of the LSD-36 is to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles. It can render limited docking repair service to small ships and craft
• USS Whidbey Island and Harper Ferry Class The assigned mission of the dock landing ship (LSD- 41) is to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles. It can render limited docking repair service to small ships and craft

Question 9

Discuss the classes of ships that provide Navy Surface Fire Support.

Answer 9

Ships suitable for gunfire support include cruisers and destroyers
o Guided Missile Cruisers (CG, CGN)
o Destroyers (DD, DDG)
o Amphibious Assault Ships (LHA)

Question 10

Discuss the following terms as they apply to ship-to-shore movement: H hour, L hour, D day, LOD

Answer 10

L-Hour
• In amphibious operations, the time at which the first helicopter of the helicopter-borne assault wave touches down in the landing zone
• H-hour
• For amphibious operations, the time the first assault elements are scheduled to touch down on the beach, or a landing zone, and in some cases the commencement of countermine breaching operations
• D-day
• The unnamed day on which a particular operation commences or is to commence
• Line of Departure (LOD)
• In amphibious warfare, a suitably marked offshore coordinating line to assist assault craft to land on designated beaches at scheduled times

Question 11

Discuss the following types of amphibious landing craft: LCAC, LCU

Answer 11

• Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)- The LCAC is the latest generation of amphibious assault landing craft. Combining the heavy lift capacity of the surface assault with high speeds of helicopter-borne assault, the LCAC adds a new dimension to the capabilities of amphibious forces. It is capable of traveling over land and water. The LCACs mission is to land heavy vehicles, equipment, personnel, and cargo in amphibious assaults.
• Landing Craft Utility (LCU) - The LCU’s mission is to land heavy vehicles, equipment, personnel, and cargo in an amphibious assault. The LCU is a highly versatile craft; like others of the landing craft family, it has been adapted for many uses including salvage operations, ferry boats for vehicles and passengers, and underwater test platforms. It is a self-sustaining craft with the typical habitability features found aboard ships. Its welded steel hull provides high durability with deck loads of 800 pounds per square foot.

Question 12

• State the responsibility of the following Landing Force Support Party (LFSP) components as they relate to amphibious operations: shore party, beach party, special attachments, ships platoon

Answer 12

• Shore Party - The shore party is a task organization formed and equipped to facilitate landing and movement of waterborne troops, equipment, and supplies and evacuation of selected casualties and prisoners of war
• Beach Party - The beach party is the Navy component of the LFSP and is under the operational control of the LFSP commander
• Special Attachments - Special attachments are made to the LFSP for defense of the BSA
• Ships Platoon - A ship’s platoon consists of LF personnel responsible for loading stowing, and offloading LF equipment and supplies