 VERTICAL ENVELOPMENT is the concept of amphibious warfare in which Marine assault troops are embarked in helicopters which are launched from helicopter assault ships (Landing Platform Helicop- ter). The troops are carried rapidly, via pre-determined routes which have been thoroughly "deloused" by attack and interceptor aircraft, to strategic points BEHIND THE ENEMY BEACH- HEAD. Once engaged, these forces will interdict enemy communications, seize enemy strongpoints, and force the enemy to fight simultaneously against a crushing point in front, and behind, the beachhead. The Navy has long recognized the need for specially designed ships to facilitate the employment of helicopters in vertical envelopment. Initially, COMMENCEMENT BAY class CVEs and ESSEX class CVAs were converted for this new task. Experience gained with the carrier conversions led to the design and construction of an entirely new class of amphibious assault ship. The result is USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2), the first warship built from the keel up to implement the latest innovation in amphib- ious warfare, VERTICAL ENVELOPMENT. |
