Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2009 Delaware Academy graduate and Hamden, New York, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU 2), one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious warfare units.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Lindsay Pierce is an engineman with the group operating out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy engineman is responsible for maintenance and repair of small engines.
“I like that I get to work with my hands,” said Pierce. "I also enjoy that I am a female in a mostly male-dominated rate."
Pierce credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Hamden.
“My hometown taught me respect,” said Pierce. "It teaches you to respect your chain of command as well as your subordinates."
ACU 2 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“Being stationed here is interesting because it's a small boat community,” said Pierce. "You get used to working with a smaller team which makes a tighter bond."
A Navy engineman is responsible for maintenance and repair of small engines.
“I like that I get to work with my hands,” said Pierce. "I also enjoy that I am a female in a mostly male-dominated rate."
Pierce credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Hamden.
“My hometown taught me respect,” said Pierce. "It teaches you to respect your chain of command as well as your subordinates."
ACU 2 is one of the components of Naval Beach Group TWO (NBG 2).
Commissioned in 1948, just after World War II, NBG 2 trains and equips military forces for deployment overseas. Sailors with NBG 2 serve a vital role in the Navy our nation needs by ensuring that amphibious operations remain ready to defend and protect America at all times.
ACU 2 operates landing craft, which are specialized to transport personnel and equipment from surface ships to shore. The LCU is a displacement craft capable of carrying a payload of more than 170 tons. The LCU can be used to transport weapons systems, cargo and personnel of Marine assault units. The current LCU fleet has been in naval service since the late 1960s. Gun mounts on the craft can support .50 Cal machine guns, M240 machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers.
The exercises and real-world operations that ACU 2 sailors participate in include evacuation of American citizens from a hostile territory, delivery of food and medical supplies after a natural disaster, and many other tasks that involve movement from ships off-shore to the beach, according to Navy officials.
“Being stationed here is interesting because it's a small boat community,” said Pierce. "You get used to working with a smaller team which makes a tighter bond."
Jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the command running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from operating boats to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
"The Sailors, Chiefs, and Officers of Assault Craft Unit 2 work in conjunction with other Naval Beach Group elements to grant our Amphibious Ships heavy lift and over-the-horizon, extended-duration ship-to-shore movement with the Landing Craft Utility and Maritime Pre-positioning Force boats,” said Cmdr. Thomas Mays, commanding officer, Assault Craft Unit 2. “We are proud to do our part in the Navy-Marine Corps team to project power or provide sustained assistance as needed around the world."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Pierce is most proud of advancing to 2nd class petty officer in two years.
“I'm glad that my advancement made my father proud,” said Pierce. "He likes to see me succeed."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Pierce said she has found many great rewards.
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Pierce is most proud of advancing to 2nd class petty officer in two years.
“I'm glad that my advancement made my father proud,” said Pierce. "He likes to see me succeed."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Pierce said she has found many great rewards.
“The Navy has taught me integrity and always having someone else’s back so they have yours,” said Pierce. "You aren't in this alone so you have to learn to rely on your team."