US Army Reactivates Watercraft Unit in Japan to Bolster Indo-Pacific Maritime Capabilities

Defense News ,U.S and Japan :- The United States Army has reinstated its first watercraft unit outside the US, marking a significant development after nearly three decades. Activated in Yokohama, Japan, the 5th Composite Watercraft Company is poised to enhance America's maritime prowess in the Indo-Pacific region.

Comprising approximately 280 personnel, the unit will play a crucial role in command and control, maintenance, and planning missions for up to 16 US vessels. The 5th Composite Watercraft Company is designed to support waterborne tactical, joint amphibious, and logistics-over-the-shore operations, contributing to the overall readiness of US forces in the region.

While the exact number of watercraft in the company remains undisclosed, it is expected to include logistics support vessels, landing crafts, mechanized or maneuver support vessels, and small tug detachments. This versatile composition reflects the unit's adaptability to various operational scenarios.

The reactivation of the 5th Composite Watercraft Company holds strategic significance, according to Major Gen. Jered Helwig, the commander of US Army Pacific. Emphasizing the unit's role in responding to a diverse range of contingencies in the Indo-Pacific, he highlights its potential in supporting humanitarian response and disaster relief operations.

Major Gen. David Womack, commander of US Army Japan, views the establishment of a watercraft unit in the Indo-Pacific as evidence of the US Army's multi-domain capabilities—enabling operations on land, air, and sea. Beyond Japan, there are reports of the army's plans to deploy another watercraft unit in Australia, reinforcing its commitment to building enduring logistics support areas in strategic locations. The reactivation of the 5th Composite Watercraft Company underscores the US military's focus on bolstering its presence and capabilities to address evolving challenges in the Indo-Pacific theater.