ASSISTANT BOAT GROUP
COMMANDER (ABGC)
The ABGC embarks in an LCPL displaying the
WHISKEY flag over the beach flag and reports to the
BGC. The ABGC is responsible for the following:
Assuming BGC duties in an emergency
Assisting in organizing waves into proper
position in the rendezvous area
Assisting in dispatching waves from the
rendezvous area to arrive at the LOD on time
Checking for stragglers or malfunctioning/
damaged assault craft in later waves
Following the last scheduled wave to the surf
zone
Conducting landing craft and amphibious
vehicle salvage operations
Upon departure of the last scheduled wave from
the rendezvous area, the ABGC becomes the senior
salvage officer afloat and reports to the beachmaster
for duty.
BOAT WAVE COMMANDER (BWC)
The BWC embarks in the number one
displacement landing craft and displays the beach flag
over the wave number numerical flag. The BWC
communicates with the BGC, ABGC, and PCS and is
responsible for the following:
Forming the wave into proper organization for
landing
Maintaining boat discipline in the wave
Maintaining proper boat and wave intervals
Arriving at the LOD and beach on time
WAVE GUIDE OFFICER/ASSISTANT
WAVE GUIDE OFFICER
A wave guide officer and an assistant wave guide
officer are assigned to each wave of amphibious
vehicles. They are normally provided by the ship in
which the wave is embarked. Each officer embarks in
an LCPL that is equipped for communication the same
as the BWC's craft. The wave guide officer's duties
are as follows:
Forming up the amphibious vehicles and
guiding them to position seaward of the LOD
line.
Reporting to the PCS, giving details affecting the
readiness of his/her wave.
Taking station ahead of the wave, with his/her
assistant astern of the wave, and leading the
wave to the LOD and across on signal from the
PCS.
Ensuring that the wave is maintaining proper
position in the boat lane and reaches the proper
beach on time. (This officer is assisted by
directions from the PCS.)
Guiding the wave to the first line of breakers.
Here the wave guide boats take station in the
return lane if the amphibious assault vehicles are
to return seaward after landing, and guide
returning vehicles to the designated control ship
or boat haven. If the vehicles do not return
seaward, the guide boats normally report to the
PCS.
STANDARD IDENTIFICATION FLAGS,
LIGHTS, MARKERS, AND SIGNALS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the
standard identification flags, lights, markers,
and signals used in ship-to-shore movement.
A variety of standard identification flags, lights,
and markers are used in the ship-to-shore movement
(refer to NWP 22-3, appendix C). In addition, a
number of special markers and signals are used, as
described in later paragraphs of this chapter.
BEACH MARKING FLAGS AND PANELS
During the planning stage of an amphibious
assault, beach areas are divided into sections and
assigned colors for identification purposes. Beach
markers are approximately the size of a No. 4 flag, and
are with the normal beach colors of red, yellow, green,
or blue. Fluorescent cloth is used in beach flags and
markers wherever possible for greater ease in
identification under all weather conditions.
BEACH FLAGS
Beach flags (fig. 12-8) are flown from designated
boats and ships; the color and design of the flag
corresponds to the beach assignment. When not
otherwise specified, the size of flags flown from boats
will be a No. 8 signal flag or larger. Fluorescent cloth
12-10
