USS COMSTOCK, At Sea -- Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are employing the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to execute ship-to-shore operations, reinforcing the Marine Corps’ ability to rapidly project combat power from the sea.
As part of Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), the final certification before deployment, Marines are validating their ability to maneuver from amphibious warships to objectives ashore, a core capability of the Marine Expeditionary Unit.
This marks only the third time the ACV has deployed with a MEU, underscoring its rapid transition from fielding to operational employment.
“We’re conducting COMPTUEX as our final exercise to complete certifications before deployment as a Marine Expeditionary Unit,” said 1st Lt. Drew Cisneros, ACV executive officer, Assault Amphibian Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th MEU. “This is where we validate that we’re ready to execute the mission as a complete force.”
Operating from ships like USS Comstock (LSD 45), the ACV enables Marines to move directly from sea to land without relying on ports or fixed infrastructure.
“It’s critical for MEU readiness because it allows us to use the water as maneuver space,” Cisneros said. “We’re not limited to ports or piers. We can insert combat power from the sea, which makes the Marine Corps unique.”
For operators, the difference is most evident during the transition through the surf.
“With the older platform, we had to time our shots with the waves,” said Gunnery Sgt. Andreke Alvarez Roman, an amphibious combat vehicle operator with BLT 3/5. “Now, with the stabilization and weapon system, we can stay on target and engage while we’re still moving through the water.”
The ACV’s improved stability and advanced weapon systems allow Marines to maintain accuracy during one of the most dynamic phases of amphibious operations.
“It’s a much smoother ride compared to what we had before,” Alvarez Roman said. “That stability allows us to get rounds on target faster and more effectively.”
The platform also introduces significant survivability improvements for Marines inside the vehicle.
“The ACV has a V-shaped hull and blast-absorbing seats, which gives Marines a better chance of surviving an explosion,” Alvarez Roman said. “That’s a major difference from the previous platform.”
Once ashore, the ACV enables Marines to immediately build momentum beyond the shoreline.
“When you gain a foothold on the beach, you’re setting the conditions to push forces inland,” Alvarez Roman said. “It’s the same concept we’ve seen throughout history. Establish that beachhead so follow-on forces can continue the mission.”
Unlike previous platforms, the ACV allows units to continue maneuvering inland without pause.
“With this platform, we’re able to go places the previous vehicle couldn’t,” Alvarez Roman said. “We can move further inland and continue projecting combat power without stopping.”
The capability also supports distributed maritime operations by enabling forces to operate across dispersed and contested environments.
“It allows us to move from ship to shore and continue operating across the littorals,” Cisneros said. “We’re able to establish positions and continue maneuvering without being tied to fixed locations.”
In contrast to relying solely on air or port access, amphibious maneuver provides a faster and less predictable method of inserting forces.
“If we didn’t have amphibious capability, we’d be limited to ports and airfields, which slows everything down and gives the enemy time to react,” Cisneros said. “The ACV allows us to land and immediately start pushing inland.”
As adversaries continue to modernize, leaders emphasize the importance of maintaining and advancing amphibious capabilities aligned with Force Design priorities.
“The ability to go from ship to shore in any environment gives commanders options,” Alvarez Roman said. “It’s something we have to continue to invest in, especially as threats evolve.”
For Marines aboard Comstock, the ACV represents a critical enabler of the Corps’ ability to fight and win from the sea.
“The amphibious capability is what defines the Marine Corps,” Cisneros said. “It gives commanders options and ultimately puts us in a position to accomplish the mission.”
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