Wikipedia

United States Navy Riverine Squadron

The Riverine Squadrons of the United States Navy are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). According to the Navy: “The Navy’s Riverine force focuses on conducting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation in a riverine area of operations or other suitable area. The force is capable of combating enemy riverine forces by direct fire, or by coordinating supporting fire. It will share battle space with the other Services in an effort to close the seams in Doctrine, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”[1]

Riverine warfare has a long history in the Navy, dating back to the Revolutionary War, when American sailors in row galleys engaged the formidable warships of the hated British overseers operating in colonial waterways. Modern American riverine warfare came of age during the Vietnam War, as patrol boats and river assault craft combed the Mekong Delta and other vital waterways. The US Navy created the Riverine Group in 2006 when the US Navy took over riverine warfare from the US Marine Corps. As of 2008, three riverine squadrons were active in the Navy, all under the command of Riverine Group 1, located in Norfolk, Virginia. Riverine Squadron 1 (RIVRON 1) deployed to Iraq in April 2007 and was relieved by Riverine Squadron 2 (RIVRON 2) in October 2007.[2] Riverine Squadron 3 (RIVRON 3) was established in July 2007[3] and relieved RIVRON 2 in Iraq when their deployment completed in April 2008.

The United States Navy merged its riverine forces (US Navy Riverine Group) and Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces (MESF) in 2012 to form the Coastal Riverine Force (CRF). [1] The Coastal Riverine Force was disbanded in 2020 when riverine warfare responsibility was turned back over to the US Marine Corps.[4]

History

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RIVGRU and RIVRON 1

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RIVRON 1 training with SURC at Ft. Pickett, Virginia

Riverine Group (RIVGRU 1) and Riverine Squadron 1 were both formally established May 25, 2006, under Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. It was modeled after the Marines Small Craft Company. The establishment brought together sailors from diverse backgrounds to begin a transformation from blue water to brown water sailors.[5]

 
US Navy RIVERINE SQUADRON 1 along with US Marines patrol Euphrates River in Iraq

Following several months of training in combat skills, SURC operations, and cultural and language skills, RIVRON 1 Advance Party deployed to Iraq on February 13, 2007, followed by RIVRON 1 Main Body deployed March 8. RIVRON 1 conducted integrated maritime combat operations with Marines, Soldiers, Coalition Forces, Iraqi Army, and Iraqi Police.[5][6] RIVRON 1 assumed patrol duties around Haditha Dam from the Marine Corps, who had previously been performing this task.[7] On 1 August 2012, RIVRON 1 was decommissioned. It was replaced by Coastal Riverine Squadron (CORIVRON) 4, which combined RIVRON 1 with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4.[8] This reorganization combined navy small boat units to provide both offensive and defensive force protection.[8]

RIVRON 2

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RIVRON II insignia.
 
U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 2 patrols the waters around Haditha Dam in small unit riverine craft (SURC)
 
Sailors from Riverine Security Team from Riverine Squadron 1 come ashore to conduct patrols

RIVRON 2 was established on February 2, 2007, and began unit-level training with the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.[5] RIVRON 2 deployed to Iraq in October 2007, relieving RIVRON 1.

RIVRON 3

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RIVRON 3 was established on July 6, 2007, at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia.[9] The unit deployed to Iraq in April 2008 relieving RIVRON 2.

Units

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command: “Riverine: About Us”
  2. ^ "Navy NewsStand: "RIVRON 1 Sailors Return Home", Story Number: NNS071023-24, date: 2007-10-23". Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  3. ^ "Navy NewsStand: "NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3", Story Number: NNS070710-13, date: 2007-07-10". Archived from the original on 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  4. ^ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (2020-09-18). "Don't call it 'Coastal Riverine Forces' anymore". Navy Times. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  5. ^ a b c Navy NewsStand: “Riverine Force Marks One-Year Anniversary”, Story Number: NNS070607-17, date 2007-06-07
  6. ^ Navy NewsStand: “Navy’s First Riverine Squadron Deploys”, Story Number: NNS070308-24, 2007-03-08
  7. ^ National Defense Magazine: “Riverines rehearse for first mission in Iraq”, 2007-04
  8. ^ a b Navy News Story Coastal Riverine Force Establishes Squadron Story Number: NNS120802-32, 2 August 2012 (retrieved Dec 17, 2012)
  9. ^ "Navy NewsStand: "NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3", Story Number: NNS070710-13, date 2007-07-10". Archived from the original on 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2008-01-21.

rivron 4

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