Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

would be suitable for use as a secondary casualtyreceiving and treatment ship.ASSAULT SHIP (LPH)The LPH is the principal ship employed to supportvertical assault (helicopterborne) ship-to-shoremovement. It embarks, transports, and lands troopsand their equipment and supplies. It may land thepersonnel and equipment by embarked transporthelicopters or, under unusual circumstances, bylanding craft provided by other ships. The LPH alsoprovides facilities for Navy and Marine command andcontrol, including a helicopter direction center, and amedical regulating control officer. When appropriatepersonnel are on board, the LPH serves as a primarycasualty receiving and treatment ship and providestriage functions and early definitive medical andsurgical care.LANDING SHIP (LSD)The LSD transports and lands amphibiousvehicles or landing craft and their accompanyingtroops and equipment. It is capable of repairinglanding craft and may also be used as a helicopterlanding platform, a PCS for waterborne craft, and aboat haven. The LSD has limited medical facilities,and is not suitable for service as a casualty receivingand treatment ship.LANDING CRAFTThe types of landing craft used to land assaulttroops, their equipment, and supplies are as follows:LANDING CRAFT PERSONNEL LARGE(LCPL)—The LCPL is used to support UDToperations, as a gig/officer boat, and as a generalutility boat. Although not normally used fortroops/cargo, it is capable of transporting 17troops or 3,000 pounds of cargo. In amphibiousoperations, it is used for control/safety purposeswithin the boat group or as the LVT safety boat.LANDING VEHICLE TRACKED (LVT)—The LVT operates on both land and water andcan negotiate obstacles that prevent otherlanding craft from beaching. Primarily used as apersonnel carrier, it may also be used later inoffshore personnel transfer. In addition, the LVTis an important vehicle for logistic support, sincecargo may be carried directly from the ship to aninland beach dump.LANDING CRAFT UTILITY (LCU)—TheLCU is made of steel with cargo spacemeasuring 100— feet long by 18— feet wideand 4.5— feet deep, for a carrying capacity of400 tons. See figure 12-1.LANDING CRAFT MECHANIZED—There are two types of LCMs: LCM 6 andLCM 8. The LCM 6 can carry 34 tons of cargo,80 combat-equipped troops, or a 36-ton tankThe LCM 8 steel hull can carry up to 65 tons,200 combat-equipped troops, or a 60-ton tankThe LCM is shown here in figure 12-2.LANDING CRAFT, AIR CUSHION (LCAC)—The LCAC is a fully amphibious, air-cushionvehicle capable of operating from an existingwell deck ship. Its mission is to transportweapons systems, equipment, cargo, andpersonnel of the assault elements of the MarineAir/Ground Task Force both from ship-to-shoreand across the beach. Figure 12-3 is a picture ofan LCAC.Figure 12-l.—Landing craft utility (LCU).12-2