US Marines successfully use new amphibious combat vehicle to carry troops from ships

The United States armed forces have conducted a complex at-sea readiness rehearsal using a new amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) during an exercise involving hundreds of marines and sailors.

Members of the US Marine Expeditionary Force and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 carried out training drills and exercises off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California.

This marks the first time an ACV has successfully transported infantry marines to and from a ship during both night and day operations.

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The exercise, known as Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training (QUART), was held to ensure that the US Navy and Marine Corps' amphibious capabilities could be practised to a high level.

The US Department of Defence said: "During QUART, nearly 200 marines and 400 sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 developed and sustained essential amphibious skills."

Taking place off the coastline of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Navy and Marine Corps displayed their partnership during the inaugural iteration of training, held aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset.

Colonel Kevin Hunter, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16 and commander of QUART, said: "QUART is a vital training opportunity where we can train as a Navy-Marine Corps team to enhance our collective readiness and deterrence capabilities.

"By training together, we ensure that we are well-prepared to respond effectively to any situation, reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps commitment to deter potential adversaries and contribute to national security and global stability."