Posted on 06/25/2014 6:54:05 PM PDT by robowombat
That was then, this is “now”.
Who was it? Jefferson who sent in the Marines? Adams?
Who was it who “DIDN”T SEND IN THE MARINES” to protect our Ambassador and embassy complex staff.
There is a difference.
This might be a ship that is not allowed to fire on anyone. Knowing how much of a fool SecNav Mabus is, I doubt that its’ shells actually have explosives in them.
Amphibious Assault Ship? No way. No well deck, as you point out, and no hangar deck either?
Maybe this ship goes into combat surrounded by other type units ... carriers, real assault ships, transports, supply vessels.
Amphibious Assault Ship? No way. No well deck, as you point out, and no hangar deck either?
Maybe this ship goes into combat surrounded by other type units ... carriers, real assault ships, transports, supply vessels.
From Vietnam up through at least the late 1970’s, the USMC operated Battalion Landing Teams (BLT). An infantry battalion reinforced with an artillery battery, usually Amtracks & sometimes a few tanks would be paired with a composite helicopter squadron with CH-53 heavy lift, CH-46 medium lift, a few Hueys mostly for staff functions and a few Cobras.
The ships of the BLT were grouped around an LPH (Landing Platform-Helicopter) that carried the bulk of the composite squadron, plus sometimes an infantry company. Purpose built LPH ships were availabe from the early 1960’s. However, the BLT I was with in Vietnam spent a bit of time on the LPH-8, which began life in 1943 and launched in 1945 as the CV-45, USS Valley Forge, an Essex Class carrier.
We had LPD’s (Landing Platform, Dock) and LSD’s (Landing Ship, Dock), plus a 1946 era troop ship, the Paul Revere.
Basically:
LSD = fewer troops, more heavy vehicles and equipment, no helo hangar
LPD = more troops, fewer heavy vehicles and equipment, have helo hangar
(and for kicks)
LHA = even more troops, no heavy vehicles or equipment, more helos (and jets)
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