U.S. Marines Deploy New Amphibious Combat Vehicles in Well Deck Operations Aboard USS Ashland

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division conducted well deck operations using the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) aboard USS Ashland (LSD 48) off California, according to a February 20, 2026, Marine Corps release. Led by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit under Task Force Ashland, the training validated ship-to-shore launch and recovery procedures as the Corps continues replacing legacy Assault Amphibious Vehicles. The event marks another step in integrating the eight-wheeled ACV into fleet operations, strengthening maritime crisis response capabilities in contested littoral environments. Read full Naval News at this link …

U.S. Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Division stage Amphibious Combat Vehicles inside the flooded well deck of USS Ashland (LSD 48) during ship-to-shore readiness drills off the California coast on February 20, 2026. (Picture source: USMC)

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