First Crews Graduate from New, Tougher ACV Training; Marines Still Working on Surf Operations -...

This week’s graduation of 29 Marines re-certified to operate the Marine Corps’ Assault Combat Vehicle marks the latest step in building a force of trained ACV operators and maintainers that will help transition the rest of the community to a new, tougher standard, officials said Friday.

The Marines graduating from the new Operational Certification course, held at Assault Amphibian School at Camp Pendleton, Calif., joined 30 others from the pilot course for ACV operators held in June, the service announced. Another 11 Marines were slated to complete the new Maintainers Certification course on July 28, joining 19 others who did the pilot course last month.

The new courses stem from the Marine Corps’ concerted effort following several mishaps last year that raised serious questions about training, maintenance and procedures as the service transitioned its assault vehicle crews to the new platform. The service has fielded 139 of the wheeled ACVs, so far, to replace older, tracked Amphibious Assault Vehicles that were a staple of amphibious operations and forcible entry over five decades until the fatal sinking of an AAV three years ago. Subsequent ACV rollovers in rough surf upended that new program and led to open-ocean restrictions across the fleet.