U.S. Army’s Public Affairs spokesperson for the 10th Support Group, Brian Lamar, reached out to Naval News regarding the two LCM’s important role in ferrying munitions around the bay for the 10th Support Group. His story can be found at the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). For this story, Naval News asked how the Maneuver Support Vessel-Light, MSV(L) and Maneuver Support Vessel-Heavy, MSV(H) will aid the 10th Support Group in their vital munitions-ferrying missions.
Mr. Dylan Beaver, Chief of Storage and Distribution and Watercraft Operations, 10th Support Group Ammunition Depot responded to Naval News.
Naval News: What do Landing Craft Mediums (LCMs) provide for the 10th Support Group and why?
Beaver: Our current fleet of LCMs provide maneuverability in a congested area with difficult terrain. The roads and bridges in the area around the 10th Support Group Ammunition Depot are inadequate for some of the sizes and weights of our transportation needs. The LCMs give flexibility to use the waterways. This increases our operational efficiency and safety and lessens the transportation burden on the local populace.
Naval News: Why can’t the U.S. Army depend on the LCMs of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps?
Beaver: The 10th Support Group Ammunition Depot are self-sustaining U.S. Army facilities. While we partner with our sister services on multiple items like administrative and logistical support, the Ammo Depot mission is a U.S. Army planned and executed effort. We rely on our in-house professional watercraft operators, maintainers, and equipment.
Naval News: How long has the 10th Support Group (SG) Ammunition Depot (AD) operated LCMs?
Beaver: The 10th Support Group Ammunition Depot received vessels transferred from Logistics Readiness Command in 2019.
Naval News: What are the maintenance problems with the current LCMs, and on average, what is the age of them in the 10th Support Group?
Beaver: Our LCMs are Vietnam-era watercraft. With their age comes the replacement of engine parts that have needed replacement due to normal wear and tear over the years. This sometimes incurs higher maintenance issues due to the age of the watercraft.
Naval News: How many LCMs do you have and how many years of service can they still operate?
Beaver: The 10th SG Ammo Depot operates two LCMs. The Army is prepared to use the watercraft until replacements arrive or they become unserviceable.
Naval News: What features of the MSV(L) is the 10th Support Group most looking forward to and why?
Beaver: The possible replacement of the LCMs with MSV(L) watercraft could result in added benefits, with efficiencies being increased due to the MSVs possessing a better draft, increased speed, range, and maneuverability. [Author’s note: The MSV(L) also comes with two CROWS II remote weapon station mounts for self-defensive armament. The LCM can mount two manually-aimed .50cals, but 10th Support Group cannot comment on this].
Naval News: What do you expect from the MSV(L) in logistics contributions to the 10th Support Group and the operational area?
Beaver: Due to the narrow mountainous roads around the 10th Support Group Ammunition Depot, the mission to ferry ammunition, personnel and supplies through the area will continue to be a vital necessity. The replacement of the LCMs with an MSV(L) is a way to ensure that this mission continues in an efficient and safe manner.
U.S. Army, Japan, Chief of Public Affairs, Major Devon Thomas, replied that it is too soon to discuss how the MSV(Heavy) might benefit the 10th Support Group in its missions. Furthermore, due to Operational Security, Major Thomas cannot discuss or disclose when the first MSV(Lights) and MSV(Heavies) will be delivered to the 10th Support Group.
According to the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS), the MSV(L) “will support Dynamic Force Repositioning and provide the Combatant and Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Commander with an organic waterborne lift capability that can deliver today’s heavy modernized combat power, equipment, bulk food, and water across the full spectrum of operations with increased speed and lower draft; and mitigates anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threats and provides access when mature ports or road networks are unavailable. The MSV(L) is expected to transport multiple combat configured ready-to-fight payloads with crew; a combat configured Abrams tank; or two Strykers with bar armor; or four Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs); or two 20-foot or one 40-foot ISO containers; or a Heavy Expandable Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT); or a Load Handling System (LHS) and trailer.”
For more Naval News information on the MSV(L), click here.
Naval News contacted the U.S. Army in May 2023 regarding the MSV(Heavy) and the spokesperson said that heavy watercraft is pre-decisional, thus information is limited.
