The U.S. Navy has emphasized its focus on the health and well-being of its personnel following a collision between two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) that injured 30 Sailors and Marines during a training exercise off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, on Wednesday.
The incident occurred while the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were conducting a routine exercise.
“Our primary focus is on our Sailor’s health and well-being,” stated Cmdr. Lara Bollinger, a Navy public information officer, highlighting the Navy’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its personnel.
Five of the injured Sailors were airlifted to Savannah Memorial University Medical Center in Southern Georgia for advanced medical care, with four of them having been treated and released, while one remains under medical care after being transported to the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) to receive care closer to their family. The remaining injured personnel received medical attention aboard the USS Wasp and USS New York, with most injuries considered minor and those Sailors and Marines returning to full duty.
Both LCACs involved in the collision remained afloat and have since returned to their respective ships. The Navy is currently investigating the cause of the collision and plans to provide more information as it becomes available.
LCACs are high-speed, over-the-beach, amphibious landing hovercraft capable of carrying payloads of up to 75 tons, including heavy equipment such as M-1 tanks, to more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline. The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit 24 are currently at sea as part of a composite training unit exercise.
