Amphibious assault
An amphibious assault is a military operation that involves landing combat troops from ships at sea onto land, usually on a beach. The area where the troops land is referred to as a beachhead. The most well known amphibious landing was the D-Day landing at Normandy in WWII.
Amphibious Landings in Sci-Fi
- "We have to hold them until all transports are away. Prepare for ground assault!"
- —General Rieekan
In science fiction, this type of military operation is scaled up to the planetary level, and starships insert troops into battle against ground forces defending a planet.