Newtown Sailor Serves In

Amphibious Warfare Unit

SAN DIEGO – Over the last decade, the United States has redefined the military’s involvement in world affairs. Fighting and winning wars, once widely accepted as the sole purpose of military action, today shares priority with humanitarian relief and peacekeeping missions.

Naval amphibious forces play a key role. Marine units deploying from Navy ships can transport food and medicine to refugees. An amphibious force can also assist peacekeeping efforts.

Newtown’s Dustin T. Randall plays an important part in amphibious warfare missions. Seaman Apprentice Randall, the 19-year-old son of Raymond and Lori Randall of Newtown, works at Beachmaster Unit One (BMU-1) in San Diego.

BMU-1 personnel are to an amphibious assault what a traffic cop is to a busy intersection. Seaman Randall and other command members coordinate the landings and movement of troops, and the evacuation of casualties and prisoners of war.

A 1998 graduate of Newtown High School, Seaman Randall is relied upon to do a number of important and demanding jobs at BMU-1.

“My team and I assist in the landings of boats onto beaches. Our LARC’s (Light Amphibious Rescue Craft) are able to go on land and in water. In a wartime situation, we would need to be there in order for anyone to hit the beach,” he said.

Nearly 130 people in a dozen specialties make up BMU-1. BMU-1 Sailors communicate with command ships during an assault, relaying the status of the invasion.

Seaman Randall knows that amphibious warfare in today’s Navy is a complex operation. Principles followed by the invading force include gaining air superiority, bombarding enemy positions from aircraft and ships, and deploying a large force from troop ships. Amphibious warfare operations may also relay on special forces units for reconnaissance missions.

A one-year Navy veteran, Seaman Randall derives satisfaction from being in the navy and working at BMU-1.

“The most rewarding part of my command is the people. I have great shipmates here. I’m having fun and getting paid for it,” he said.