MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA -- Transporting training cargo to the Hawaii Combined Arms Exercise is something that cannot just be completed by putting gear on planes or helicopters. High mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, also known as humvees, and other heavy equipment, need to be transported as well, so this movement happens by using a Logistics Support Vessel.
The Herald C. Clinger, an LSV originally built in 1988, can hold 7,500 square feet and 2,500 tons of tied cargo at a time. The vessel is 272 feet long and 60 feet wide, but only carries a total of 32 people as a crew on any given shipment. It was the second LSV built out of a current six; a seventh has been built for the reserves, but it is not currently in the water. The Clinger travels year-round to bring supplies to PTA, not only for Marines, but also for the Army.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Larry Kraus, the third mate aboard the vessel, said the ship will travel to a variety of locations and assist with hurricane relief and locating sunken vessels as well.
"You call; we haul," explained Kraus, "whatever the mission dictates."
So that time can pass a little easier during trips, below the deck, there is a weight room for physical training and an area for basketball and boxing.
"Sometimes, it could be 30 days between ports," said Kraus. "We try to always have something to do."
Upon the end of their training at PTA, HCAX leathernecks will return to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, with their heavy equipment, which will be the end of the line for Marines participating in this year's HCAX.
The Herald C. Clinger, however, will turn away from port to make another trip, in support of still other exercises, training and operations that need heavy equipment transport.