U.S. Marine Corps Reserve photo, 31AUG2017.
Ever want to ride in one of those AmTracks (aka Assault Amphibious Vehicle or AAV)? Some unlucky victims of Harvey, near Beaumont, Texas, got lucky and were rescued by Charlie Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, USMC Reserve.
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve photo, 31AUG2017.
At least 60 USMC personnel used ten ‘AmTracks’ to rescue more than 3-hundred people.
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve photo, 29AUG2017.
The large amphibious troop carriers were originally developed by the same company that brought you the smaller U.S. Army M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (Food Machine Corporation aka FMC).
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve photo, 31AUG2017.
The AAV-P7 (originally called the LVTP-7) was developed in the late 1960s, with the USMC first using it in 1972, but I don’t think the designers ever thought the AAV would be used to rescue silly-vilians. In 1997 a program was approved to upgrade AAVs with the power-train and suspension from M2 Bradleys.
Upgraded AAV with supported track, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Taylor W. Cooper, 27JUN2017.
The upgraded AAVs can be identified by the support rollers on the track system, the earlier AAVs had what’s called unsupported track.
Galveston, Texas, 31AUG2017. USMC photo by Sergeant Ian Ferro.
Galveston, Texas, 31AUG2017. USMC photo by Sergeant Ian Ferro.
USMC photo by Corporal Devan Barnett, 02SEP2017.
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve photo, 03SEP2017.
Harvey: TEXAS MILITIA RUNNING ON FUMES?
USMC photo by Corporal Devan Barnett, 02SEP2017.
Harvey: WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PETS?