US Transfers Retired Marine Corps AAVs to Black Sea Allies
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as "Trax," to allied nations defending the Black Sea region. The AAV-P7, in service since 1972 and decommissioned in September 2025, made its final appearance during Exercise Sea Breeze 26 in Romania. Rather than storing the vehicles, experienced instructors will oversee their transfer to partner nations. The AAVs saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq and are being replaced by the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.
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Last Marine Corps AAVs Complete Final Field Exercise Before Retirement
The U.S. Marine Corps' last operational amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), operated by the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, completed their final field exercise during Exercise Sea Breeze 26 in Romania in June 2026. The tracked vehicles, first introduced in 1972 and affectionately called 'tracks,' will now be permanently retired and transferred to foreign partners. The Marine Corps has transitioned to the eight-wheeled amphibious combat vehicle. The AAVs saw service in conflicts including the 2003 Iraq invasion and humanitarian missions after Hurricane Katrina. Their retirement follows a deadly 2020 training accident off San Clemente Island that killed eight Marines and one sailor, which led to restrictions on waterborne operations. Lt. Col. Nishan Campbell, commander of the battalion, reflected on the vehicle's demanding nature, embodying the Marine culture of 'embracing the suck.'
Task & PurposeLast Marine Corps AAVs Complete Final Field Exercise in Romania
The U.S. Marine Corps' last operational amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), operated by the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, completed their final field exercise during Exercise Sea Breeze 26 in Romania. The tracked vehicles, affectionately known as 'tracks,' first entered service in 1972 and have been used in conflicts including the 2003 Iraq invasion and humanitarian missions like Hurricane Katrina. The Marine Corps formally retired AAVs from active-duty units in 2025, but a Reserve unit continued limited operations for preplanned exercises. Following this event, the vehicles will be permanently retired and transferred to foreign partners. The Corps has transitioned to the eight-wheeled amphibious combat vehicle. The retirement follows a deadly 2020 training accident off San Clemente Island that killed eight Marines and one sailor, which raised concerns about the vehicles' age and condition.
Task & PurposeUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region. The AAV-P7, which entered service in 1972 and was officially decommissioned in September 2025, made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania before being handed over. The tracked vehicles, being replaced by the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), will be transferred by experienced instructors to partner nations. The AAV saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq and was tested alongside drones during the exercise. Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle, bid an emotional farewell.
Military TimesUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region, rather than placing them in storage. The AAV-P7, which served for over five decades since 1972 and saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq, made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania before the transfer. The vehicle was officially decommissioned in September 2025 and is being replaced by the Amphibious Combat Vehicle. During the exercise, the AAV was used in doctrinal roles including mechanized assault, logistics, and direct fire, and was tested alongside drones. Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle, bid an emotional farewell, calling it 'old girl.' The transfer will be facilitated by experienced Marine instructors.
Military TimesUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region. The AAV, which entered service in 1972 and was officially decommissioned in September 2025, made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania before being transferred. The tracked vehicles, which saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq, are being replaced by the newer amphibious combat vehicle. Rather than being stored, the AAVs will be transferred to partner nations by experienced instructors. The article notes the emotional significance for Marines like Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle. The exercise tested the AAV in doctrinal roles including mechanized assault, logistics, and direct fire, amid the changing nature of warfare with drones.
Marine Corps TimesUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region. The AAV-P7 made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania before being handed over. The vehicle, which entered service in 1972 and was officially decommissioned in September 2025, is being replaced by the Amphibious Combat Vehicle. Rather than being stored, the battle-tested tracked vehicles will be transferred to partner nations by experienced instructors. The AAV saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq and was used in the exercise as a mechanized assault platform, logistics carrier, and direct fire asset, including testing among drones. Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle, bid an emotional farewell.
Military TimesUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region, rather than placing them in storage. The AAV, which entered service in 1972 and was officially decommissioned in September 2025, made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania. The tracked vehicles, which saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq, are being replaced by the newer amphibious combat vehicle. Experienced instructors will oversee the transfer to partner nations. The article highlights the emotional farewell from Marines like Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle, and notes that the AAV was tested alongside drones during the exercise, reflecting changes in modern warfare.
Marine Corps TimesUS transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
The U.S. Marine Corps is transferring its retired Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), known as 'Trax,' to allied nations defending the Black Sea region. The AAV, which entered service in 1972 and was officially decommissioned in September 2025, made its final appearance during a military exercise in Romania before being handed over to partner nations. The tracked vehicles, replaced by the amphibious combat vehicle, will be transferred by experienced instructors. The AAV saw combat in Lebanon and Iraq and was used in doctrinal roles including mechanized assault, logistics, and direct fire. The article highlights the emotional retirement for Marines like Master Sgt. Daniel Porter, who spent 22 years working on the vehicle.
Marine Corps Times