PHIBRON
Encyclopedia
PHIBRON is an abbreviation for Amphibious Squadron. In the U.S. and NATO, it is a tactical and administrative organization composed of amphibious assault shipping to transport troops and their equipment for an amphibious assault operation.
A U.S. PHIBRON usually consists of three amphibious ships, typically one LHD, an LSD
and an LPD
. When the ships of a PHIBRON are loaded up with the forces of a Marine Expeditionary Unit
and some additional Navy units (including landing craft from two or more Assault Craft Units or ACU), it is designated as an Amphibious Ready Group
(ARG). The officer in charge of PHIBRON SIX is designated COMPHIBRON SIX or Commander Amphibious Squadron Six.
Before the advent of modern helicopter-oriented amphibious warfare, the amphibious squadron was made up differently, depending on the era. During the 1960s, a typical squadron might consist of an Attack Transport
(APA/LPA), a Dock Landing Ship
(LSD), an Attack Cargo Ship
(AKA/LKA), one or two Landing Ships, Tank, (LST) and, especially if there were only one LST, a High Speed Transport
(APD). The APA carried troops and LCVP
s in which to land them, plus a few LCM
s for bigger loads. The AKA carried cargo and an assortment of LCVP
s and LCM
s with which to land it. The LSD carried boats. The LST carried tanks and other rolling stock, and had the ability to discharge its cargo directly onto the beach. The destroyer-like APD provided limited gunfire support
and fast defense of the squadron. It frequently also carried a UDT
unit or other similar troops.
The Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) replaced the APA in the late 1960's and provided helicopters to land troops and supplies inland, beyond the beach.
A U.S. PHIBRON usually consists of three amphibious ships, typically one LHD, an LSD
Dock landing ship
A Dock landing ship or Landing ship is a form of amphibious warship designed to support amphibious operations. These amphibious assault ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel...
and an LPD
Amphibious transport dock
An amphibious transport dock, also called a landing platform/dock , is an amphibious warfare ship, a warship that embarks, transports, and lands elements of a landing force for expeditionary warfare missions. Several navies currently operate this kind of ship...
. When the ships of a PHIBRON are loaded up with the forces of a Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
and some additional Navy units (including landing craft from two or more Assault Craft Units or ACU), it is designated as an Amphibious Ready Group
Amphibious Ready Group
An Amphibious Readiness Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element—a group of warships known as an amphibious task force —and a landing force of United States Marines , in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped...
(ARG). The officer in charge of PHIBRON SIX is designated COMPHIBRON SIX or Commander Amphibious Squadron Six.
Before the advent of modern helicopter-oriented amphibious warfare, the amphibious squadron was made up differently, depending on the era. During the 1960s, a typical squadron might consist of an Attack Transport
Attack transport
Attack Transport is a United States Navy ship classification.-History:In the early 1940s, as the United States Navy expanded in response to the threat of involvement in World War II, a number of civilian passenger ships and some freighters were acquired, converted to transports and given hull...
(APA/LPA), a Dock Landing Ship
Dock landing ship
A Dock landing ship or Landing ship is a form of amphibious warship designed to support amphibious operations. These amphibious assault ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel...
(LSD), an Attack Cargo Ship
Amphibious cargo ship
Amphibious cargo ships were U.S. Navy ships designed specifically to carry troops, heavy equipment and supplies in support of amphibious assaults, and to provide naval gunfire support during those assaults. A total of 108 of these ships were built between 1943 and 1945—which worked out to an...
(AKA/LKA), one or two Landing Ships, Tank, (LST) and, especially if there were only one LST, a High Speed Transport
High speed transport
High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
(APD). The APA carried troops and LCVP
LCVP
The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States, based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes...
s in which to land them, plus a few LCM
Landing Craft Mechanized
The Landing Craft Mechanized or Landing Craft Mechanical was a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allied amphibious assaults....
s for bigger loads. The AKA carried cargo and an assortment of LCVP
LCVP
The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States, based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes...
s and LCM
Landing Craft Mechanized
The Landing Craft Mechanized or Landing Craft Mechanical was a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allied amphibious assaults....
s with which to land it. The LSD carried boats. The LST carried tanks and other rolling stock, and had the ability to discharge its cargo directly onto the beach. The destroyer-like APD provided limited gunfire support
Naval gunfire support
Naval gunfire support is the use of naval artillery to provide fire support for amphibious assault and other troops operating within their range. NGFS is one of a number of disciplines encompassed by the term Naval Fires...
and fast defense of the squadron. It frequently also carried a UDT
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
unit or other similar troops.
The Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) replaced the APA in the late 1960's and provided helicopters to land troops and supplies inland, beyond the beach.
List of amphibious squadrons 2008
- Amphibious Squadron One - Stationed in San Diego, CA
- Amphibious Squadron Two - Stationed in Norfolk, VA
- Amphibious Squadron Three - Stationed in San Diego, CA
- Amphibious Squadron Four - Stationed in Norfolk, VA
- Amphibious Squadron Five - Stationed in San Diego, CA
- Amphibious Squadron Six - Stationed in Norfolk, VA
- Amphibious Squadron Seven - Stationed in San Diego, CA
- Amphibious Squadron Eight - Stationed in Norfolk, VA
- Amphibious Squadron Eleven- Stationed in Sasebo, Japan