Monrovia Pack 66 Tours Assault Craft Unit 5 "The Swift Intruders"

Oceanside, CA. - Monrovia Pack 66 had the honor to tour Assault Craft Unit 5 "The Swift Intruders" on November 12th, 2016; Veteran’s Day weekend. There is no better way to honor our servicemen and woman than to learn what they do to protect our country and to educate the future leaders of our country, cub scouts of pack 66.

For many years, I would drive I-5 past the “whitewall” in Oceanside across from Camp Pendleton, with the words “Home of the Swift Intruders”; and I would wonder what is behind there and how can I visit? Years later and 4 years into cub scouting I made the call and was greeted by a wonderful sailor Senior Chief Grady Grammer who made all the arrangements for Pack 66 to visit and I would finally be able to put my curiosity to rest.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Van Harlinger and Chief Petty Officer Nelson gave our Pack an amazing and in-depth tour of the LCAC’s. The Cubs learned about the turbine engines, payload capacity, maintenance, crew positions and what it takes to operate one of these naval behemoth’s. PO2 Van Harlinger and CPO Nelson had so much patience in handling all the questions from the scouts. Many of the questions were very detailed in regards to the operations of the LCAC’s and engines.

During the tour, our Cubs could interact with Sailors and ask them about their jobs and experiences in the military. Gas Turbine Systems Technician- Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Van Harlinger, a deck engineer assigned to ACU 5, was one of the Sailors who enjoyed talking to our pack and showing the cubs the LCACs. CPO Nelson gave the Cubs a behind the scenes look at the cockpit and crew stations on board as well as where the troops would sit when on deployment.

Pack 66 learned that Assault Craft Unit 5 is the West Coast home of the Navy’s amphibious assault craft, the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). This unique craft is supported above land or the surface of water by a cushion of air contained within its flexible rubber skirt system. The skirt when fully inflated reaches 8 feet in height and can support a 75-ton payload. Currently the LCAC’s are being up-graded to modern technology as like with the aging B-52, making a classic, modern. The Navy is expecting delivery of new LCAC’s by the year 2020, needless to say the ACU-5 is looking forward to the new hovercrafts.

Pack 66 Charter Organization Representative Danny Preciado and father to WeBelos 1 Matthew and Lion Cub Josh stated “I was honored to have our Scouts be given the opportunity to experience this rarely seen, behind the scenes look with some of the nation’s finest and the incredible equipment they work with.”

Thank you to all with ACU-5 for allowing Pack 66 to spend a few hours with you. You have given our cubs a memory and experience they will not soon forget. Also a big thanks to our amazing Pack family and leaders, Assistant Cub Masters Sam and Gina Kurutz, COR Danny Preciado, Awards Chair Peter Vierheilig and Bear Den Leader Andrew Gentile.

If you and your son are interested in joining Monrovia Cub Scout Pack 66 and he is between the ages of 5 and 10 please email us at [email protected] or call at 626-485-1032.