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ABV crews prepare to blaze new paths

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Gunnery Sgt. Steven Sanchez watched the amphibious assault vehicle’s front end jut into the air as it rolled up and over a sand-packed berm.

“See now,” he said. “That’s a little more steep than what I want.”

As the AAV crested, its belly was exposed, creating a potential target that could prove deadly in combat. Next time around, Sanchez said, the berm must be constructed so the amtrac is less vulnerable.

That responsibility falls to the new Assault Breacher Vehicle, operated during this April exercise at Camp Lejeune by Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. Fielded for the first time last year, the tracked, armored vehicles — designed to breach minefields and other complex obstacles — are still new to the handful of engineers who operate them.

In fact, 2nd CEB is one of only two units to receive the ABV — 1st CEB at Camp Pendleton, Calif., has them also, while 3rd CEB at Twentynine Palms is awaiting its share. The Corps hasn’t even said when they might deploy.

“We’re all learning this,” Sanchez said. “There is no book on how to use it yet. It’s all being written right now.”

At times, the process has been frustrating, Pfc. Francis Giaquinto said.

“There’s no right way now,” he said. “So far we’re just making it happen. … You can’t hit it right every single time.”

Once its capabilities are mastered, though, the ABV will become a powerful tool for Marines. Moreover, it will provide an added layer of safety for those who perform one the Corps’ most dangerous jobs.

Currently, combat engineers use line charges to blast a path through minefields. The task requires Marines to walk among the explosives and physically mark the area that is safe to traverse.

The ABV, outfitted with a .50-caliber machine gun, has a launching system capable of firing two rockets hundreds of feet and towing line charges that each contain 1,750 pounds of C-4. And on the back of the vehicle, there is a marking system that thrusts poles into the ground. That means no more walking.

A plow on the front, which can be used to move objects and construct berms, allows the ABV to barrel through enemy obstacles. It can take “a couple of hits” before it needs replacing, Sanchez said.

Another perk: The ABV uses the M1A1 tank chassis and travels up to 70 mph, making it fast enough to keep up with tanks and amtracs.