Amphibious Assault Landing Craft Patch

[36-tex]

According to Chris Aleck book "Authorized Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Army 2005": Authorized 5/69 to 5/70. As Chris asks in his book; "Is this really an Army SSI? Information from the IOH, U.S. Army drawing A-1-519. At the time the Army was engaged in Amphibious operations in Vietnam. I think AALC was initially an Army/Navy program that the Army dropped but continued on with the Navy/Marine Corps".

 

Chris does not list this patch in his updated versions of his book (2009 issue).

 

Anyone have any info?

[all-bull]

Tex,

We just got one of these and have been trying to learn more about it too. It's hard to research. I can't find anything on the patch, but did find this on the web. This takes place in the late 70s. BTW, our patch is slightly different in color and details, but nothing too major to post a pic of.

 

The Amphibious Assault Landing Craft (AALC) Program is a U.S. Navy advanced development effort. The Program objective is to define, develop, demonstrate and document a system of advanced landing craft which will improve the cost-effectiveness of the ship-to-shore movement of men, vehicles, equipment and material during an amphibious assaut. Current AALC Program emphasis is on the design, construction, tests and trials of two 160-ton air cushion landing craft, (designated JEFF(A) and JEFF() and a shipboard handling system, Amphibious In-Haul Device (AID). The JEFF craft will demonstrate the technical feasibility and military utility of air cushion vehicles in amphibious operations. A brief description of the background and early history of the AALC Program is followed by a discussion of the current program approach. Recent progress and future plans are reported. The current tests and trials phase is leading to an Operational Demonstration. This is a key milestone leading to follow-on acquisition of Fleet hardware to provide a major improvement in the amphibious assault capabilities of the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team.

[all-bull]

TA DA!!

 

http://www.lcacalumni.org/