Assault Craft Unit 5

• Establishment: Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU-5) was established in 1983 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, to support amphibious operations using Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles. • LCAC Pioneers: ACU-5 was the first U.S. Navy unit to operate the revolutionary LCAC, which allows rapid transport of troops, equipment, and vehicles from ship to shore over both water and land. • Operational Firsts: ACU-5 was the first unit to deploy LCACs operationally during real-world missions, including participation in major exercises and humanitarian operations. • Desert Storm Deployment: ACU-5 played a key role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-1991), where LCACs conducted the first-ever amphibious assault using air-cushion technology in combat. • Humanitarian Missions: ACU-5 LCACs have been used in disaster relief efforts such as Operation Unified Assistance following the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, demonstrating their unique rapid response capabilities. • Global Reach: Based on the U.S. West Coast, ACU-5 supports the U.S. Pacific Fleet, regularly participating in joint and multinational exercises in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Middle East. • Nickname: ACU-5 is nicknamed the "Pacemakers," signifying their leadership in advancing amphibious assault technology and operations. • Unique Training: ACU-5 personnel undergo specialized training to operate and maintain LCACs, a skill set found in only a handful of units worldwide. • Modernization: ACU-5 is at the forefront of LCAC modernization, receiving the latest upgrades such as the Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) to replace aging craft and expand capabilities. • Symbolic Crest: The unit’s emblem features an LCAC riding a wave, symbolizing speed, agility, and the unit's vital role in delivering combat power from sea to shore.