The following is the command investigation into the July 30, 2020 sinking of an Amphibious Assault Vehicle attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The investigation was released on March 26, 2021.
Download the document here.
San Clemente Island
Investigation: 7-Month-Long ‘Chain of Failure’ Led to 9 Killed in AAV Sinking
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles into the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marines Photo
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The July drowning deaths of eight Marines and a sailor who sank with their amphibious assault vehicle off a California island were the result of poor training, a vehicle in “horrible condition,” and lapsed safety procedures in a rush...
15th MEU CO Removed 8 Months After AAV Mishap that Killed 9
Col. Christopher Bronzi. US Marine Corps Photo
More than eight months after an AAV mishap that killed eight Marines and a sailor, the commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit was relieved from his job, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific announced on Tuesday.
Col. Christopher Bronzi, who had led the MEU since November of 2019, was removed by MARFORPAC commander Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder “due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command, following completion of the command...
https://news.usni.org/2021/03/23/15th-meu-co-removed-8-months-after-aav-mishap-that-killed-9
Infantry Battalion CO Relieved after Fatal July AAV Sinking; Investigations Continue
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles while embarking the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Navy Photo
The commander of a Marine battalion landing team that lost nine men when an AAV sunk off San Clemente Island, Calif., during a training exercise in July, I Marine Expeditionary Force announced late Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Michael Regner was relieved of command of Battalion...
Families Honor 9 Killed in AAV Sinking as Investigations Continue
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles onto the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
Marines and sailors joined grieving families and friends at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Friday to remember the Navy corpsman and eight Marines who died when their amphibious assault vehicle sank off Southern California three weeks ago.
The 15th Marine...
https://news.usni.org/2020/08/21/families-honor-9-killed-in-aav-sinking-as-investigations-continue
Bodies of Marines, Sailor Killed in AAV Incident Transported to Dover
Remains of Marines and sailor killed in AAV incident arrive in Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Aug 12, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
The Marine Corps on Wednesday transported to Dover Air Force Base the bodies of the seven Marines and one sailor who died during a recent Amphibious Assault Vehicle accident.
The bodies of the servicemembers were transported from Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, Calif.
“Six pallbearers of Marines and sailors escorted each casket aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17...
Marine Corps AAV Water Operations Suspension Still Ongoing
Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle driver with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drives an AAV-P7/A1 up the well deck ramp of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) during training to increase Navy-Marine Corps interoperability in the eastern Pacific on July 27, 2020. US Navy Photo
After salvaging the Amphibious Assault Vehicle that sank last month in the waters near southern California, the Marine Corps is maintaining a halt to...
https://news.usni.org/2020/08/10/marine-corps-aav-water-operations-suspension-still-ongoing
Sailor, Marines’ Remains and Sunken AAV Recovered Off San Clemente Island
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles onto the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
Navy salvage teams on Friday recovered the bodies of the seven Marines and sailor missing after their amphibious assault vehicle sank during training July 30 off Southern California, the Marine Corps announced late Friday.
Crews also recovered the AAV...
Navy, Marines Locate Sunken AAV, Human Remains
Undersea Rescue Command deploys the Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from the deck of the Military Sealift Command-chartered merchant vessel HOS Dominator on Aug. 3, 2020. Undersea Rescue Command is aiding in recovery of the missing seven Marines and one Sailor from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. US Navy photo.
The Navy and Marine Corps identified the location of the amphibious assault vehicle that sank off the coast of San Clemente Island last week using a remotely operated search...
https://news.usni.org/2020/08/04/navy-marines-locate-sunken-aav-human-remains
Marines Identify 9 Killed in AAV Sinking Off California, 2 Marines Still Hospitalized
Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles into the well deck of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) on July 27, 2020. US Marines Photo
Marines have identified the 8 Marines and a sailor who died following the sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of California.
The service members were assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit...