US Army gets new Landing Craft

[Colin Parkinson]

Should be interesting to see how these do. 30kts is a lot faster than their old ones

 

[FJAG]

Back in 1980, I was part of a tour at Ft Eustis where the US Army has most of its "navy" in what they call terminal battalions. We had tour of one of the predecessors of these ships which are designed to transport cargo from ship to shore. Each could carry up to two M60 tanks and had a crew of 13 which was a WO1's command.

It was very interesting. Sadly they've been greatly reduced in number. Capabilities have been fading in the US over the decades as well.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Back in 1980, I was part of a tour at Ft Eustis where the US Army has most of its "navy" in what they call terminal battalions. We had tour of one of the predecessors of these ships which are designed to transport cargo from ship to shore. Each could carry up to two M60 tanks and had a crew of 13 which was a WO1's command.

It was very interesting. Sadly they've been greatly reduced in number. Capabilities have been fading in the US over the decades as well.

Had some drinks with these guys at the Avalon Rock Bar in Chania, Crete.

Interesting organization. Good people.

 

[FJAG]

Had some drinks with these guys at the Avalon Rock Bar in Chania, Crete.

Interesting organization. Good people.

They were interesting boats too. The crews were mixed - even in those days - which was no problem as the crew quarters were divided into two cabins - one for 5 and one for 8. They just needed to get the ratios right.

At Eustis they also had a small railroad and training train crews was part of their mandate as well in those days. Just another one of those skill sets that fade away in peacetime.

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

They were interesting boats too. The crews were mixed - even in those days - which was no problem as the crew quarters were divided into two cabins - one for 5 and one for 8. They just needed to get the ratios right.

At Eustis they also had a small railroad and training train crews was part of their mandate as well in those days. Just another one of those skill sets that fade away in peacetime.

Ive been hearing talk in last few days in fact that there's been talk of a reserve rail transport and maintenance unit being stood up .
Trying to remember where I heard it

 

[FJAG]

Ive been hearing talk in last few days in fact that there's been talk of a reserve rail transport and maintenance unit being stood up .
Trying to remember where I heard it

I'm just finishing up my revisions to "Unsustainable 3rd Edn. I've included ARes transport battalions with terminal capabilities - unsurprisingly enough I've located them in Montreal.

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

I can see it now 1 platoon A coy, 2 ND battalion Rail Transport & Maintenance Regiment ( Air Portable).

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

Actually you probably could produce an air portable rail unit.
Check out the British army's small gauge rail units.
It's actually quite interesting.