NAVAL STATION WHITE BEACH, OKINAWA, JAPAN -- U.S. NAVAL STATION WHITE BEACH, OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. Marine Corps and Navy divers with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted a dive operation to inspect U.S. Army Vessel Harpers Ferry, which was experiencing technical issues at Naval Station White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 15, 2019.
The Harpers Ferry, a Landing Craft, Utility, is used to quickly transport equipment and troops to shore with a small footprint. The LCU belongs to 10th Support Group, an Army unit responsible for mobilizing Soldiers and other joint units throughout the Indo-Pacific. 3rd Marine Division has partnered with the 10th Support Group before and their familiarity with one another was crucial in resolving the issue.
With short term notice, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion’s dive team was able to respond quickly and swiftly to identify and fix cause of the problem. In a few short hours, the LCU was repaired and able to resume its normal operations.
Operations like this are vital to building and maintaining the Marine Corps-Army relationship. The ability to maximize familiarity and interoperability with the capabilities of the joint force further develop 3rd Marine Division’s working relationship with the Army on Okinawa. As a forward deployed force, both services will depend on one another for future operations in the Indo-Pacific.