U.S. Marines Conduct Test of Amphibious Combat Vehicles in Okinawa

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The U.S. Marine Corps has completed its first open-water amphibious movement using Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) at the Kushi Crossing in Okinawa, marking a major milestone in the platform’s operational integration.

According to a press release from Marines, the exercise, conducted on Dec. 10, 2024, involved ACVs from the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

The ACV, a cutting-edge platform designed to replace the aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), was first fielded in November 2022 after nearly two years of rigorous trials. It represents a generational leap in the Marine Corps’ amphibious capabilities, offering enhanced survivability, mobility, and mission flexibility.

The training exercise at Kushi Crossing involved three days of operations under varying conditions, including low tide, high tide, and low-light scenarios. First Lt. Jacob Yehl, platoon commander for the 4th Marines ACV unit, explained the mission’s importance.

“Our mission here today, and on this rotation, is to ensure all of these training areas and Beach Landing Sites (BLS) are trafficable and supportable for ACV operations in the future,” Yehl said. “Validation of Kushi Crossing is critical because it is the only landing site in Okinawa that allows entry into the Central Training Area.”

The successful validation ensures the ACV can seamlessly integrate with other units training on the island, strengthening the Marine Corps’ operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

The ACV’s introduction is part of a broader effort to modernize the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault fleet. Its deployment to Okinawa began in June 2024, with the first units arriving as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP).

Staff Sergeant Juwan White, a section leader with the ACV platoon, highlighted the generational shift the platform represents.

“Eight years ago, I was driving an AAV from Recon Beach, Camp Schwab to Kushi,” White said. “Now here I am today doing the same thing with an ACV, paving the way for the next generation of Marines.”

The ACV provides ship-to-shore lift for infantry and reinforcement for inland objectives, a mission central to the Marine Corps’ rapid response capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

The ACV’s presence in Okinawa adds a vital capability for III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the Corps’ most agile and forward-deployed force in the region. Its deployment aligns with the Marine Corps’ strategy to maintain a ready and versatile force capable of responding to crises or conflicts.

“The primary message of the training we conducted is that we’ve proven and shown that ACVs belong here in Okinawa for III MEF to have at their disposal,” White stated.