Aerial Hi Shot of the convoy.
0.03


Shot Plane takes off from bulky flat top
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Assault boats joining ashore
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MS boats approach shore
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boats in a line near shore
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Shows floating dock-fly just see boats
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Troops clustered on shore
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Troops & equipment on shore
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Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thirty thousand United States and Spanish Marines stormed beaches in southern Spain October 26, 1964, as Operation Steel Pike, largest peacetime amphibious operation in history, was launched.

The assault force awarned ashore from amphibious landing craft while others were flown inland by 100 Marine helicopters from the amphibious assault ships USS Ikinawa, USS boxer and USS Guadalcanal using the Navy-Marine Corps "vertical envelopment" concept.

Operation Steel Pike involves the coordinated efforts of some 60,000 men and eighty ships.

The landing force was comprised of 28,000 members of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, plus a reinforced battalion of Spanish Marines.

Units of the Fleet Marine Force taking part an the Second Marine Division and Force Troops, Atlantic, both based at Camp Lajcune, North Carolina, and the Second Marine Air Wing, based at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Objective of the operation is to test the strategic mobility of the powerful Navy-Marine Corps amphibious team and is part of a program to establish and maintain U.S. readiness to reinforce allies rapidly.

The assault phase of the operation was observed by more than 200 guests including high ranking military officials from Spain and the United States.