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ACU 5 was commissioned on October 1, 1983 in Panama City, Florida. The first craft, LCAC 01, was delivered to the Navy on 15 December 1984. The Unit was relocated to Camp Pendleton in 1986, and the first operational deployment of LCAC was in 1987. During this historic first deployment, the first LCAC landing outside of the United States was conducted in support of amphibious operations in Okinawa. The largest deployment of LCAC occurred in 2003 when sixteen craft were stationed in the Arabian Gulf in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. ACU 5 regularly deploys in detachments of several LCAC, their crews and maintenance personnel. The detachments deploy on amphibious ships to the 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet Operating Areas. On average 2 detachments deploy each year to conduct operations, exercises and support national interests throughout the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and waters of the Middle East. The ACU-5 compound encompasses over 100 acres with 225,000 square feet of office and work space to support 29 craft and over 500 personnel. About The LCAC:
Manned by an all enlisted crew of 5 Sailors, the LCAC provides one of the most unique jobs available in the Surface Navy. The LCAC is a high speed assault hovercraft that can carry vehicle, cargo and personnel loads of approximately 60 tons between ships and shore landing sites. Supported on a cushion of air while underway, the LCAC can reach speeds in excess of 40 knots. Freed from concern of underwater obstacles, its high speed and maneuverability allow it to access over 70% of the world’s coastline, compared to 17% for conventional landing craft. In the words of our motto:
NO BEACH OUT OF REACH!
