General says amphibious vehicle accident that killed nine was 'preventable'

The deaths occurred when an assault amphibious vehicle, or AAV, sank near San Clemente Island on July 30, 2020, during a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group routine. The commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit was fired after a US Marine Corps investigation found that a series of human and mechanical failures led to the sinking of the vehicle.General Gary Thomas told lawmakers at a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing that “11 people were fired”