| Assault Craft Unit ONE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1947 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USN |
| Garrison/HQ | NAB Coronado |
| Motto(s) | "Initiative, Dependability, Cooperation" |
| Engagements | Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom War on Terror |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CDR Michael S. Boucher |
Assault Craft Unit ONE , (ACU-1) is a Pacific Ocean Maritime Prepositioning Force in the United States Navy operated under Naval Beach Group ONE out of Naval Amphibious Base Coronado with a Forward Detachment in Sasebo, Japan.[1] ACU-1's force consists of Landing Craft Utility boats (LCU), Landing Craft Mechanized, Mark 8 boats (LCM), and Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boats (MPFUB).[2] ACU-1 is the sister unit of Assault Craft Unit 2 in Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia.[1]
History
editAssault Craft Unit 1 traces its roots to World War II as hundreds of LCUs were decommissioned, leaving 30 LCUs in the command of "Centralized Flotilla Command" in NAB Coronado known as LCU Squadron ONE. In July, 1947, a neighboring command, Boat Unit ONE, was created to command LCM-3s and LCVPs. In 1950, the two commands participated in the Battle of Inchon and in every amphibious operation of the Korean War afterward.[3]
In 1963, the LCU Squadron ONE and Boat Unit ONE were merged to make Assault Craft Squadron 1 (ACS-1). In 1968, the CNO directed to have ACS-1 and its Assault Craft Divisions ELEVEN, TWELVE and THIRTEEN be disestablished, and reformed as Assault Craft Unit ONE (ACU 1).
In 1990, in response to the Gulf War, ACU-1 was a first responder, acting to transport and unload cargo from Maritime Prepositioning Ships using LCM-8s. Since the September 11 attacks, ACU-1 has operated outside of a strictly military role, providing humanitarian services and disaster relief. Recently, ACU-1 has operated with other Amphibious Battalions providing Military logistics for the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle Military exercise in South Korea.
LCU 1500 Memorial
editOn 28 February, 1968, near Ocean View, Viet Nam, LCU 1500 was hit by a rocket and killed the Radioman. One year later, on 27 February, 1969, while loading ammunition in Da Nang as a part of the Battle of Hue, an enemy rocket hit the nearly loaded craft and killed 13 crew aboard. On 14 March, 1969, ACU-1 began an annual memorial to the 14 sailors that lost their lives on LCU 1500.[4] At the ACU-1 compound on NAB Coronado, a recreational cabana was erected near its piers and painted to look like LCU 1500. The cabana houses pictures of the crew and ship as well as a memorial with the names of the slain sailors.[5]
Structure
editThe five departments at ACU-1 are Administration, Engineering, Medical, Operations, and Supply.[6]
ACU-1 is divided into three divisions; LCU, MPF, and MRF. The LCU Department operates its LCUs which can make long deployments independently or aboard larger amphibious vessels such as LHDs and LHAs. The MPF Department operates and maintains its LCM-8 and MPFUB crafts locally and are mobilized and flown to theaters to perform maritime prepositioning within 24 hours notice.
References
edit- ^ a b "Assault Craft Unit ONE (ACU 1)". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "ACU-1 Assault Craft Boats". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LCU 1500". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "Survivor Remembers Vietnam-era Assault on Landing Craft". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "ACU ONE Departments". Retrieved 17 March 2013.