AAVs launching from MPS ships is new? Update.

Check out the above vid and the attached story here.  What caught my attention?

Marines from California flew all the way to Jacksonville to participate in a unique training with amphibious assault vehicles. Blount Island Commanding Officer Col. Matt Crabill says nine AAV’s drove off of a Maritime prepositioning force ship and into the water and navigated back to land at Blount Island for the special exercise.
“It was ordered to refamiliarize the force with how to do this. We haven't done it since 1999,” said Crabill.

I'm not sure that's true.

If I recall correctly this was done as recently as the last Bold Alligator exercise.  I'll check to confirm.  

UPDATE:  Yeah, I was right.  Below is a pic from Bold Alligator 2012 where they splashed from MPS ships.  I don't know who is coming up with this stuff but the meme "getting back to our amphibious roots" is old.  Its past time to put that on the shelf and just get on with the business of fixing our house.  Reinventing the wheel needs to stop.  Just do the Marine thing and stop grandstanding.

MSC Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon lowered its gunmetal gray stern ramp into the water Feb. 7, allowing 12 Amphibious Assault Vehicles, or AAVs, to enter the waters just off Camp Lejune. The AAVs, tracked vehicles that can carry three crew and 21 combat ready troops, splashed into shallow water in preparation for a massive D-Day style amphibious assault on the beach.