MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- For the second time in four years, Assault Craft Unit 5 personnel and their speedy landing crafts, air cushions rushed to the aid of Los Angeles County firefighters recently to help battle a blaze on a nearby island.

About 80 ACU-5 sailors responded to the blaze in Jan., caused by a downed power line, on Santa Catalina Island 50 miles northwest of Camp Pendleton. Two Landing Craft, Air Cushioned hovercrafts were mobilized for the mission.

The L.A. County Fire Department rushed firefighting equipment and personnel to the ACU-5 facility aboard Camp Pendleton, where they loaded two crafts with four fire trucks each.

Over four days, ACU-5 members made several trips back and forth, transporting 125 firefighters, along with vehicles, personnel and equipment, to the scene. ACU-5 sailors didnÕt actually fight the fire. Instead, they loaded, transported and unloaded firefighting equipment.

The fire department keeps no firefighting vehicles on Catalina, an island that has very few paved roads, said Felipe Villagas, a fire department spokesman. All trucks are brought from the mainland when the fire department mobilizes, he said.

"Without LCACs, we would have no way to get our equipment to the site of the fire," Villagas said.

Firefighters train with LCACs yearly either here or in Long Beach, Villagas said.

LCACs, tailor-made for carrying Marines and gear to shore for amphibious landings, are equally suitable for such emergencies. Each LCAC can carry up to 60 tons as fast as 40 knots Ð about 50-55 mph.

Senior Chief Charles Dairge, a craft master, said he's happy to help.

"I enjoy my job. As long as I get to (ride in an) LCAC, it is a good day for me," he said.

The fire, fueled by dry grass and high winds, burned 200 acres of land. No structures were damaged and there was only one minor injury.

"Most likely there would have been more damage done if it wasn't for (ACU-5's) training," Villagas said.