Marine Corps news (Jan. 5, 2005): Riverine Craft proves itself in Iraq.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- In April 2004, the assault on Fallujah raged inside the city. There were reports of insurgent movement to and from the city via the Euphrates River, creating a liquid highway for trafficking people and weapons. It was up to 2d Marine Division's Small Craft Company to stop it.

To do so they relied on the latest fusion of speedboat and warfighting craft--the Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC).

"The boat has proved itself to be perfectly suited for the environment in Iraq. It's held up well right off the shelf," said Color Sgt. Matthew R. Tomlinson, a landing craftsman first class with the British Royal Marines. The Somerset, United Kingdom, native has participated in landing operations from Northern Ireland to Sierra Leone and recently worked with the company and the SURC in Iraq.

"I took at it this way: Every country has rivers and waterways. A lot of countries have more waterways than roads, so it is important we have a strong riverine force," Tomlinson said.

The force Small Craft company brought to Iraq included a few of the new 39-foot SURC capable of carrying three weapons systems per craft, making them the most dangerous thing in the water.

Not only do we have the most firepower on these boats compared with the Rigid Raider Craft, but the speed and maneuverability blows other tactical boats out of the water, according to Sgt. Aaron A. Smith, a platoon sergeant with the company who has been able to work with the SURC. Although the Riverine Assault Craft carried four weapons systems on board, the speed and maneuverability of the SURC makes it a better fighting platform. The Kerrville, Texas, Marine explained how the new boat can out-perform any other craft on the water.

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"This boat can go from zero to 25 knots in 15 seconds. A top speed of 40 knots means Marines can move in and out of kill zones faster," Smith said. He added, "Because of the twin 440 horsepower six-cylinder diesel engines, it can move and turn faster than our other boats. Additionally, it is the only boat with ballistic protection even around the engine compartment."

Smith said they would be field testing mini-guns and possibly missiles on the craft in the future.

Not only are the SURC faster, they can travel farther than their predecessors as well.

"The old Raider craft could travel 75 nautical miles whereas the SURC can travel for 250 nautical miles," said Staff Sgt James A. Cascio, a platoon sergeant with the company and native of Long Island, N.Y. He added. "This boat is great both on (seaside and riverine) operations. Because of the way it is designed, it performs well both on the ocean and on rivers."

"If we didn't have this [riverine assault] asset on the water, the insurgents would be moving around in boats on the water," Tomlinson said. He explained about one situation where the boats proved themselves in combat.

"It was the first day of our assault on Fallujah and we were ambushed," Tomlinson recounted. "We went full speed to the shore and started laying down fire with our guns. The word got out not to mess with these boats, and there weren't any boats around us on the water after that."

Tomlinson added the reason the company always beat the enemy not only because of the boats, also the extreme professionalism of the crew and gunners on board.

The SURC boats proved themselves time and time again in the waterways of Iraq, and despite being new, come with great reviews from the men who live on them.

"The boats are like homes for seven months. The Marines are so proud you feel you need to wipe you feet before stepping on board," Tomlinson said. He added, "The boats have never failed a mission or task they've been put up to and we've never had to quit, saying 'something happened to one of our boats.'"

Cpl. Shawn Rhodes, USMC