United States Navy Riverine Squadron

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The Riverine Squadrons of the United States Navy are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). According to the Navy: “The Navy’s Riverine force focuses on conducting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation in a riverine area of operations or other suitable area. The force is capable of combating enemy riverine forces by applying fires directly, or by coordinating supporting fires. It will share battle space with the other Services in an effort to close the seams in Doctrine, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”[1]

As of 2008, three riverine squadrons are active in the Navy, all under the command of Riverine Group 1, located in Norfolk, Virginia. Riverine Squadron 1 (RIVRON 1) deployed to Iraq in April 2007 and was relieved by Riverine Squadron 2 (RIVRON 2) in October 2007.[2] Riverine Squadron 3 (RIVRON 3) was established in July 2007[3] and will presumably relieve RIVRON 2 in Iraq when their deployment is completed.

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[edit] History

[edit] Riverine Group and RIVRON 1

RIVRON 1 training with SURC at Ft. Pickett, Virginia
RIVRON 1 training with SURC at Ft. Pickett, Virginia

Riverine Group (RIVGRU 1) and Riverine Squadron 1 were both formally established May 25, 2006, under Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. The establishment brought together sailors from diverse backgrounds to begin a transformation from blue water to brown water sailors.[4]

Following several months of training in combat skills, SURC operations, and cultural and language skills, RIVRON 1 Advance Party deployed to Iraq on February 13, 2007, follwed by RIVRON 1 Main Body deployed March 8. RIVRON 1 conducted integrated maritime combat operations with Marines, soldiers, Coalition Forces, Iraqi Army, and Iraqi Police.[4][5] RIVRON 1 assumed patrol duties around Haditha Dam from the Marine Corps, who had previously been performing this task.[6]

[edit] RIVRON 2

U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 2 patrols the waters around Haditha Dam in small unit riverine craft (SURC)
U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 2 patrols the waters around Haditha Dam in small unit riverine craft (SURC)

RIVRON 2 was established on February 2, 2007 and began unit-level training at with the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Riverine Squadron 3, based at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown will stand up formally in early July.[4] RIVRON 2 deployed to Iraq in October 2007, relieving RIVRON 1.

[edit] RIVRON 3

RIVRON 3 was established on July 6, 2007 at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia.[7] The unit is (as of January 2008) undergoing training.

[edit] Units

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command: “Riverine: About Us”
  2. ^ Navy NewsStand: “RIVRON 1 Sailors Return Home”, Story Number: NNS071023-24, date: 2007-10-23
  3. ^ Navy NewsStand: “NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3”, Story Number: NNS070710-13, date: 2007-07-10
  4. ^ a b c Navy NewsStand: “Riverine Force Marks One-Year Anniversary”, Story Number: NNS070607-17, date 2007-06-07
  5. ^ Navy NewsStand: “Navy’s First Riverine Squadron Deploys”, Story Number: NNS070308-24, 2007-03-08
  6. ^ National Defense Magazine: “Riverines rehearse for first mission in Iraq”, 2007-04
  7. ^ Navy NewsStand: “NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3”, Story Number: NNS070710-13, date 2007-07-10

[edit] References and external links