Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

These craft are capable of beaching whereconditions permit and, with the exception of theLCPL, are provided with bow ramps for dischargingpersonnel and equipment directly on the beach.Landing craft are usually preloaded and lifted to theobjective area in the well of LHAs, LHDs, LSDs, andLPDs.WATERBORNE SHIP-TO-SHOREMOVEMENTLEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain theprocedures for conducting a ship-to-shorewaterborne movement, including the sequenceof operation, preparation, and execution.Waterborne ship-to-shore movements areconducted in the following sequence:1. Assembly and formation of landing ships,amphibious vehicles, and landing craft in the transportarea.2. Debarkation of troops and equipment fromassault shipping into the landing craft and amphibiousvehicles.3. Transfer line operations, when required.4. Landing of assault, combat support, combatservice support, and reserve troops and their supplies.When underway launch of amphibious vehiclesand/or preloading landing craft is used, theship-to-shore movement is modified. The sequencebegins with the underway launch of the troops andequipment from assault shipping by amphibiousvehicles or landing craft, and then continues as justlisted.FINAL PREPARATIONAs the ATF starts the final approach to assignedpositions for the assault, ships prepare for thedebarkation of embarked troops, equipment, andsupplies according to previously prepared plans. Thebeginning of debarkation and the timing of theship-to-shore movement depends on the designatedH-hour. All elements must be prepared to modifytiming on short notice to conform with changes toH-hour.SHIPS AND ELEMENTS POSITIONINGTo ensure that H-hour will be met, all elements ofthe ATF arrive on station sufficiently in advance ofH-hour to permit preliminary operations between thetime the signal “Land the landing force” is made andH-hour. The time required depends upon a number ofthings, such as the need for pre-H-hour transfers, thenature of loading, and the number of scheduled waves.EXECUTIONPrior to the arrival of the assault elements in thetransport area, the decision will have been made toexecute either the primary assault plan or one of thealternate plans. The amphibious task forcecommander initiates the landing with the landing forcesignal. When the signal has been made, ships that aredebarking troops or material in the scheduled waveswill take the actions that are necessary to meet theprescribed H-hour, and boats and craft that are beingdischarged proceed to the assembly area. After beingadvised on the progress of debarkation and consultingwith the landing force commander, the amphibioustask force commander will either confirm or modifyH-hour.DEBARKATIONLEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explaindebarkation, debarkation areas, and controlareas. List the day and night procedures forcalling boats alongside and into the well deckarea.Designated debarkation stations are used foroff-loading troops into boats alongside. Debarkationnets for debarking over the side of the ship are usedby all troops to be landed in boats except thoseaccompanying equipment preloaded in craft. Thefollowing paragraphs pertain to the debarkationprocess.DEBARKATION AREASLanding craft or boats are placed in assemblycircles, wave-forming circles, or rendezvous areas(fig. 12-4) prior to dispatching them for their duty.12-4