End of an Era: Marine Forces Reserve Retires AAV, Pivots to Littoral Battlespace
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After more than a half-century of global service, the U.S. Marine Corps has officially retired the assault amphibious vehicle, marking the end of an 80-year tradition of tracked amphibious landing vehicles. To honor the legacy and service of the historic vehicle, the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion hosted a sundown and redesignation ceremony as the Reserve force transitions to a new era of littoral warfare and modernized combat platforms.
The sundown ceremony was hosted on August 9, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida and served as a formal farewell to the AAV-P7/A1. The events signaled the battalion's operational shift toward the newer amphibious combat vehicle and advanced small-craft platforms—such as the multi-mission reconnaissance craft—designed for modern, complex, maritime environments.
Introduced in 1972 as the LVTP-7, the AAV was a direct descendant of the World War II-era landing vehicle tracked such as the LVT-1 Alligator and LVT-2 Buffalo that cemented the Marine Corps' reputation for ship-to-shore assaults. These amphibious tractors, or “amtracs” were able to navigate rugged land and water, bringing both protection and firepower to Marines from the breaches of WWII, the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of Iraq. In addition, these vehicles provided critical support during humanitarian missions during tsunami and hurricane relief operations in both Asia and the United States.
However, the changing realities of modern warfare and a focus on operational safety drove the Marine Corps to modernize its fleet with the amphibious combat vehicle. This new platform is designed to meet the demands of the Marines’ expeditionary fight, offering more mobility, survivability, adaptability and variants. These enhanced capabilities align with 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion’s strategic pivot towards the littoral battlespace, enabling Marines to deploy rapidly and operate effectively.
In preparation for conflicts in these contested maritime environments, the battalion has been actively acquiring and training with the multi-mission reconnaissance craft. Earlier this year, Company D, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion’s Marines, located in Tampa, conducted high-speed, open-water operations and predelivery inspection trials to develop operational small-craft expertise 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion.
The transition to both the ACV and MMRC are expected to give the Reserve units the agility, flexibility and precision required to operate effectively in complex and contested coastal zones, working alongside global allies. As the sun sets on the "amtrac," the Marines of the 4th AABn look to the future. With the integration of the ACV and the MMRC-A littoral craft, the battalion ensures that the Marine Corps' fundamental mission — projecting power from ship to shore — remains lethal, modernized and ready for the battlespace of tomorrow.
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