Discuss the mission and functions of an
Amphibious Task Force (ATF)
Amphibious Task Force (ATF)
- -US Navy task group responsible for surface movement and debarkation of amphibious LF*
- “An ATF is a Navy task-organization formed to conduct amphibious operations”
- ATF commander exercises overall control of ship-to-shore movement, and is responsible for land forces debarkation until termination of the amphibious operation.
- Ensures troops, equipment, and supplies are landed at the prescribed times, places, and in the formation required by the Landing Force (LF) scheme of maneuver
- 7th Fleet (C7F). Task Force 76.
Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) – assumes full responsibility for the ATF and the operation once LF is embarked.
Landing Force (LF)
- “Marines Corps unit conducting amphibious operations” …
- III MEF = Task Force 79, 31st MEU
Commander Landing Force (CLF) – assumes command of the amphibious operation once the LF establishes command & control. A.k.a. “I got the fight!” Responsible for the conduct of operations ashore.
-Parallel chains of command are established to carry out mission responsibilities and to enable close liaisons and frequent consultations. No significant decision is made by either commander without consulting each other.
Amphibious Task Force (ATF) + Landing Force (LF) = Amphibious Force (AF)
State the sequence of events for the
Phases of Amphibious Operations
5 Phases of Amphibious Operations
Planning
- Denotes the period starting from the issuance of an initiating directive for the operation, and ending with the embarkation of landing forces.
- Continuous throughout the operation – just helpful to start with it as first phase so that amphibious force commanders know their place/duties before embarkation.
Embarkation
- Begins when the landing forces, with their equipment and supplies, embark in assigned shipping
- Based on conditions, and enemy capabilities existing in the operational area
Rehearsal
- Period during which forces rehearse the prospective operations
- Test adequacy of plans, timing of operations, & combat readiness of participating forces
- Ensure all echelons are familiar with plans – can change based on forces & equipment
- Verify communications for commonality, redundancy, security, and reliability
- Can be an actual landing, or just command-post exercise
Movement
- Various elements of the Amphibious Force move from points of embarkation or from a forward-deployed position to the operational area
- Can commence from rehearsal, staging, or rendezvous area
- Completed once elements of the AF arrive at their assigned positions in the operational area
Action/Assault
- Decisive action phase starts when AF arrives in the operational area
- Ends when mission is accomplished
Discuss the types of
Amphibious Operations
4 types of Amphibious Operations
Amphibious Assault
- Involves the establishment of a Landing Force on a hostile or potentially hostile shore
- Forceable entry operation that allows U.S. to gain access to a crisis area
- Can be accomplished through amphibious operations, airborne operations, air assault operations, or any combination of these.
Demonstration
- Intended to confuse the enemy as to time, place, or strength of the main operation.
- Flexing on enemy – big ships nearby
- Meant to have the enemy employ its reserves improperly, or to disclose weapon positions by inducing premature firing. Also to distract them, and just have them show their hand
Feint
Intended to deceive the enemy
- Offensive action involving contact with the adversary conducted for the purpose of deceiving them as to the location and/or time of the actual main offensive action
- Like a play-action pass in football.
Raid
- Swift incursion into or the temporary occupation of an objective to accomplish an assigned mission followed by a planned withdrawal
- Conducted to destroy certain targets, harass the enemy, capture or neutralize key personnel, obtain information on terrain and enemy dispositions / strength / movements / weapons, or just as a diversion
LCC Amphibious Command Ship
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) Class - Yokosuka, Japan
Mission: Command ship for a joint task force as the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) platform.
- Where the CATF calls his shots
- C2
- Only class of ship designed from its hull up to support the command and control needs of the CATF, CLF, and Tactical Air Control Center (TACC)
- The other LCC is LCC 20 USS MOUNT WHITNEY Gaeta, Italy*
LHA Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose)
USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Class
Mission: 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.
-Full length flight deck, large storage areas for vehicles and cargo, and troop berthing for a reinforced battalion…
Well-deck for AAVs (red arrow in pic)
Example: USS America, LHA-6
LHD Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose)
USS Wasp (LHD-1) Class
Mission: Exact same as LHA: 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.
Secondary Mission: Sea control and power projection in which fixed-wing vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft and helicopters are deployed.
-Flight deck can fit 20 AV-8Bs
Differences between LHA & LHD: the LHD has a bigger hanger deck, enhanced aviation maintenance facilities, increased aviation fuel capacity, and some removed the well deck.
LPD Amphibious Transport Dock
USS San Antonio (LPD-17) Class
Mission: To transport and land troops, their essential equipment, and supplies in an amphibious assault by means of embarked landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopter lift.
-Designed to support Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles, AAVs, and MV-22 Ospreys (USMC “Mobility Triad”), as well as AV-8Bs.
LSD Docking Landing Ship
Mission: To transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles.
- Major spaces for carrying vehicles and cargo
- Super deck (top), mezzanine deck, and well deck
e. g. USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) Class or USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) Class [cargo variant]
Classes of ships that Provide Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS)
Airborne Early Warning Ground Integration Segment (AEGIS) weapons system
- On all Guided Missile Cruisers (CGs) and Destroyers (DDG)
- Combat capability for strike and fire support missions
- Can precisely project power ashore under all environmental conditions
- Prompt, sustained combat operations at sea.
AEGIS weapons suite includes Tomahawk land-attack missiles (TLAM), the 5-inch 54/62-caliber Mk 45 lightweight gun, and standard missile system in surface-to-surface mode.
5-inch 54/62-caliber Mk 45 lightweight gun (see pic)
- The primary battery used for Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS).
- Maximum effective range = 23,127 meters
Guided Missile Cruisers (CG)
-The various CG classes carry two 5-inch/54 caliber rapid fore guns and surface-to surface missiles.
USS Port Royal (CG 73)
Destroyers (DDG)
-Destroyers are most frequently found in a gunfire support role. Their normal role is in direct support of a battalion.
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)
Discuss the following terms as they apply to ship-to-shore movement:
L-hour
H-hour
D-day
LOD
L-hour – the time at which the first helicopter of the helicopter-borne assault wave touches down in the landing zone.
H-hour – the time the first assault elements are scheduled to touch down on the beach or landing zone.
D-day – the unnamed day on which a particular operation commences or is to commence.
Line of Departure (LOD)
Land – a line designated to coordinate the departure of attack elements
Amphibious operations – offshore coordinating line to assist displacement craft and AAVs to land on designated beaches at scheduled times.
- Marks seaward end of the boat lane.
- Have to account for different topographic and hydrographic considerations depending on different areas of the coast line – different colors distinguish different areas.
- LOD sometimes marked by buoys
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
Mission: To land heavy vehicles, equipment, personnel, and cargo in amphibious assaults.
- Capable of traveling over land and water
- Can launch amphibious assaults from up to 50 nautical miles offshore (book says 12-100 miles… “over-the-horizon” distance, OTH). Can access more than 80% of world’s coastlines. 40 knots speed.
**reducing risk to ATF
-Can carry 24 troops and 60 tons of equipment
**Additional flexibility is provided by LCAC’s ability to operate independent of tides and hydrographic constraint. LCAC has the ability to influence ops beyond the high water mark.
Landing Craft Utility (LCU)
Mission: To land heavy vehicles, equipment, personnel, and cargo in amphibious assaults (same as LCAC)
- Welded steel hull = very durable
- Arrangement of machinery and equipment has built-in redundancy in the event of battle damage. 12 knots speed.
- 2 engine rooms separated by a watertight bulkhead.
- Delivers 143 tons of equipment or 400 men
Landing Force Support Party (LFSP)
Landing Force Support Party (LFSP)
- Temporary Landing Force (LF) organization composed of Navy (ATF) and LF elements.
- Facilitates the ship-to-shore movement – rapidly establishes LF ashore
- Provides initial combat support and combat logistics support to the LF
- Kind of like the LCE for the LF until the actual LCE arrives
Mission: to support the landing and movement of troops, equipment, and supplies across beaches and Landing Zones (LZs)
Composition: LFSP Headquarters (HQ), Shore Party, Beach Party, Special Attachments, and Ship’s Platoon
State the responsibility of the following LFSP components as they relate to amphibious operations:
LFSP Headquarters (HQ)
LFSP Headquarters (HQ)
-Where the LFSP commander and staff control landing support operations within the landing area.
HQ is afloat - in initial stages of ship-to-shore movement in a large-scale operation.
State the responsibility of the following LFSP components as they relate to amphibious operations:
Shore Party (Marines)
Shore Party (Marines)
- LF component of the LFSP
- Task-organized to facilitate the landing and movement of LF and its material, in addition to evacuation of casualties and POWs.
- Sourced from MLG, and augmented with personnel and equipment from the GCE, ACE, and other MLE units.
State the responsibility of the following LFSP components as they relate to amphibious operations:
Beach Party (Navy)
Beach Party (Navy)
- Under the operational control of the LFSP commander
- Consists of Beach Party HQ, Beach Party team(s), beach support unit (BSU), and LCAC cushion landing zone (CLZ control team)
-Beach traffic control
-Help salvage equipment – repair?
State the responsibility of the following LFSP components as they relate to amphibious operations:
Special Attachments
Special Attachments
-Air defense units, Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) teams, EOD units, Sea Bees, etc.
State the responsibility of the following LFSP components as they relate to amphibious operations:
Ship’s Platoon
Ship’s Platoon
- Consists of LF personnel responsible for loading, stowing, and offloading LF equipment and supplies.
- Can be reassigned as needed.
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101 Traditions, History95
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102 USMC Mission and Organization16
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103 Safety10
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104 Administrative Fundamentals21
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105 Air Combat Element (ACE)36
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106 Ground Combat Element16
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107 Logistics Command Element33
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108 Command Element38
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109 Amphibious Operations20
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110 Force Protection6
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111 General Combat Leadership13
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112 USMC Operations14
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113 Environmental Awareness Fundamentals6
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114 Communications9
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115 Weapons18
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116 Tactical Measures8
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117 Land Navigation7
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118 Marine Corps Planning Process9
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119 First Aid and Field Sanitation13
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Need To Know Facts28
