Life Inside US $4 Billion Most Advanced Amphibious Assault Ships Carrier

Summary

The video explores the evolution and operation of U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships, focusing on the USS Baton and its role in modern military operations. These ships, equipped with advanced technology, support the deployment of troops and equipment via aircraft, landing craft, and vehicles. The video highlights their design features, such as the well deck for amphibious vehicle deployment and the flight deck for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. It also provides insight into the daily life aboard these ships, including crew responsibilities, maintenance, and the essential functions that allow for effective amphibious assaults in diverse mission scenarios.

Takeaways

• 😀 The U.S. Navy realized during WWII that combining a powerful navy and army was crucial for successful operations, leading to the development of specialized amphibious assault ships.
• 🚢 The USS Tarawa, commissioned in 1976, was the first amphibious assault ship, designed to support Marine Corps amphibious operations using aircraft, boats, and other vehicles.
• ✈️ Modern amphibious assault ships like the USS Baton still fulfill the same mission, though the technology used for operations has advanced significantly.
• 🛳️ The USS Baton is a Wasp-class vessel, introduced in 1996, and is 843 feet long with a large flight deck, capable of carrying vertical and short takeoff and landing aircraft.
• 🚁 The USS Baton typically carries aircraft like the AV-8B Harrier, F-35B, MV-22 Osprey, and various helicopters, depending on the mission, along with vehicles and personnel.
• ⚓ Amphibious assault ships can accommodate up to 2000 Marines and about 1,000 crew members, with daily life on board similar to that of other large naval ships, including cramped quarters and numerous on-board facilities.
• 🍽️ The mess hall plays a central role in the ship's operations, serving around 12,000 meals daily and managing the ship's food inventory to prevent illness outbreaks.
• 👚 The laundry services on board are crucial for maintaining hygiene and health, ensuring that crew members and Marines have clean clothes in confined spaces.
• 🔧 Maintenance crews, including home maintenance technicians, are responsible for keeping the vessel and its equipment in top condition, handling tasks like welding, corrosion repair, and structural maintenance.
• 🌊 The well deck is a key feature of amphibious assault ships, allowing for the rapid deployment of amphibious vehicles and landing craft, essential for beach landings, military incursions, and humanitarian missions.
• 🚙 Amphibious assault ships utilize landing craft air cushions (LCAC) and tracked amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) to transport troops and equipment, with the AAV capable of traveling through water and on land, offering versatility and firepower.

Q & A

What role did the U.S. Navy recognize during World War II regarding amphibious operations?

The U.S. Navy recognized the need for specialized ships that could transport troops and equipment directly onto enemy shores, highlighting the importance of combining powerful naval and army forces for successful amphibious operations.

What was the purpose of commissioning the USS Tarawa in 1976?

The USS Tarawa was commissioned to support Marine Corps amphibious operations using aircraft, boats, and other vehicles, marking the first amphibious assault ship in the U.S. Navy.

What is the USS Baton, and how does it compare to the USS Tarawa?

The USS Baton is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship introduced in 1996. It is 843 feet long, featuring a large flat flight deck and is designed to carry vertical and short takeoff and landing aircraft, much like its predecessor, the USS Tarawa, but with more advanced technology.

What types of aircraft does the USS Baton carry?

The USS Baton carries a variety of aircraft, including helicopters, the AV-8B Harrier 2, the F-35B, and the MV-22 Osprey, depending on the mission. These aircraft can take off vertically or nearly vertically.

How many people are typically aboard a Wasp-class vessel like the USS Baton?

A Wasp-class vessel like the USS Baton typically has a complement of around 66 officers, 1,000 crew members, and can accommodate up to 2,000 Marines onboard at any given time.

What facilities are available to crew members and Marines aboard amphibious assault ships?

Amphibious assault ships are equipped with various facilities to support crew members and Marines, including mess halls, gymnasiums, recreation areas, laundry, medical facilities, and storage areas for food and supplies.

What role do food service technicians play aboard amphibious assault ships?

Food service technicians and culinary specialists are responsible for preparing and serving around 12,000 meals per day, managing the ship's food inventory, menu planning, food preparation, and ensuring the safe storage of food to prevent illness outbreaks.

Why is laundry a critical aspect of life aboard amphibious assault ships?

Laundry is crucial on amphibious assault ships due to the confined living spaces and the large number of people aboard. Properly cleaning clothes and sheets is necessary for health and hygiene, especially in a tight, shared environment.

What is the well deck, and why is it important on an amphibious assault ship?

The well deck is a large, watertight area located at the aft of the ship that can be flooded to allow for the loading and unloading of amphibious vehicles and landing craft. It is essential for deploying troops and vehicles quickly in amphibious operations.

What types of vehicles and craft can be deployed from the well deck?

The well deck can deploy various amphibious vehicles, such as hovercraft, assault vehicles, and even standard land vehicles, all of which are used for military incursions, beach landings, and humanitarian missions.

What makes the LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) stand out among amphibious assault vehicles?

The LCAC is unique because it can travel at speeds of over 45 miles per hour when fully loaded and 80 miles per hour when empty. This speed and its ability to travel on top of water make it the fastest way to transport large numbers of troops and cargo ashore.

How are amphibious assault ships able to deploy aircraft and maintain the flight deck?

Amphibious assault ships use specific aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoffs and landings. To maintain the flight deck, seawater is pumped through hoses to wash off corrosive substances like oil and jet fuel and prevent debris from damaging aircraft or posing a risk to personnel.