USS Thrusher:Mobile Riverine Force 13 and 15

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About USS Thrusher:Mobile Riverine Force 13 and 15

**USS Thrasher/Mobile Riverine Force 13 and 15** were key elements of the United States Navy’s brown-water operations during the Vietnam War. The Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), a joint Army-Navy force, was established in 1967 to conduct riverine assault and interdiction missions in the Mekong Delta, with Task Force 117 as its naval component. Assault Support Patrol Boats (ASPBs) like the USS Thrasher provided vital firepower, troop transport, and security along Vietnam’s complex waterways. Units 13 and 15 frequently engaged in search-and-destroy operations, convoy escorts, and amphibious landings, playing a crucial role in disrupting Viet Cong supply lines and supporting ground forces in the delta’s hostile terrain. Their actions significantly contributed to U.S. efforts to control key river networks and stabilize the region during the conflict.

Unit Members

Jimmie Garcia

U.S. Navy

USS Thrusher:Mobile Riverine Force 13 and 15View Profile

Photos

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

About USS Thrusher:Mobile Riverine Force 13 and 15

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• USS Thrasher Name Confusion: There is sometimes confusion between "USS Thrasher" and "USS Thresher." The USS Thrasher (MSC-203) was a minesweeper, while the more famous USS Thresher (SSN-593) was a nuclear submarine lost in 1963. Always verify the correct vessel! • Mobile Riverine Force (MRF): The Mobile Riverine Force, also known as the "Brown-water Navy," was a joint Army-Navy force created during the Vietnam War to operate in the Mekong Delta's vast network of rivers and canals. • MRF 13 and 15: River Assault Squadrons 13 and 15 were key components of the MRF. They provided troop transport, fire support, and patrol operations in hostile riverine environments. • Assault Craft Variety: The MRF used various specialized boats, including Armored Troop Carriers (ATCs or "Tangos"), Monitor gunboats, Command and Control Boats (CCBs), and Assault Support Patrol Boats (ASPBs or "Alpha boats"). • Joint Operations: Soldiers from the 9th Infantry Division regularly operated from the MRF, living aboard barracks ships and deploying via riverine craft for missions deep into Viet Cong territory. • Major Operations: MRF 13 and 15 participated in significant operations such as Operation Coronado, aimed at disrupting Viet Cong strongholds in the Mekong Delta. • Unique Living Conditions: Troops and sailors lived aboard ships anchored in rivers, a unique arrangement that kept them close to the action and protected from mines and ambushes common along the riverbanks. • Innovation Under Fire: The MRF pioneered new tactics such as riverine cordon and search, amphibious assaults, and coordinated artillery support from floating platforms. • Decorations and Honors: Units within MRF 13 and 15 received numerous awards for valor, including Presidential Unit Citations, for their bravery and effectiveness in extremely hazardous conditions. • Legacy: The success of the Mobile Riverine Force influenced modern riverine and littoral (coastal) warfare doctrine, and is still studied at military academies for its innovation and adaptability.