Bataan Conducts Amphibious Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet

Amphibious assault vehicles from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) approach the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during an amphibious training exercise. Bataan is serving as the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The 22nd MEU is serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Tony Sisti/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jeremy L. Grisham

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) recently conducted full-scale amphibious operations training, which allowed the crew to maintain proficiency and readiness on four different types of crafts.

Bataan opened its well deck to the sea, allowed up to seven feet of water to enter the specialized compartment and launched and received landing craft air-cushions (LCAC), landing craft utility, amphibious assault vehicles and lighter amphibious resupply cargo craft from the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce (LPD 15).

For Bataan's engineering and deck departments, launching and recovering LCACs is routine, but working with the other craft is a bit more uncommon, so when the chance came to sharpen their skills, the crew was eager and ready for the challenge.

Deck department Sailors stationed at well-deck control, the craft access ramp and the along the parallel "wing walls" of the well deck brought aboard each craft, unloaded their cargo and then launched them back out to the sea.

"As far as proficiency, that's our job. We need to be ready for anything," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Eric Peterson from Hoisington, Kan., leading petty officer for deck's 2nd division. "Overall, you're only as strong as your weakest link."

Each amphibious craft presents unique challenges for the engineering team responsible for keeping the well deck flooded at the proper level, or "ballasting." Whether the requirement was six inches of water or seven feet, the operators and equipment were ready to execute.

"It really is assault and repair divisions that work diligently to maintain all ballasting equipment at peak performance," said Chief Damage Controlman (SW) James Welch, a native of Fresno, Calif., and one of Bataan's ballasting control officers. "When the time comes to do the job, we don't have any doubts about how the equipment will perform."

Bataan is serving as the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

ACU Sailors Play Key Role In Bataan's COMPTUEX

MMP Blog Note: 4736.0 kHz USB has been active with Bataan HF comms.

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kleynia R. McKnight, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- For personnel attached to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, launching and strapping down a 60-ton landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and securing and releasing 26 chains after arriving aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) is a frequent occurrence during the current Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) which began in February.

ACU-4 Sailors are underway with the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group for the exercise, which is designed to prepare the strike group for its scheduled deployment later this year, and the LCACs are playing a major role.

The 88-foot long craft, which can reach speeds of over 40 knots, is used to quickly and safely transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and vice versa.

A typical on-load in the ship's well deck takes a minimum of five Sailors, specifically trained to tie-down and secure the craft. All attend a six-week propulsion and lift (prop and lift) course at the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group School in Coronado, Calif., where they learn all the characteristics to repair and maintain the craft.

The school is open to all ratings under special screening, but the job requires Sailors to master the gas turbine systems technicians (mechanical/electrical), hull maintenance technicians and electronics rechnician rates, which is why most of the Sailors charged with the maintenance of the craft come from one of those four ratings.

The screening requires Sailors to hold a second class swim qualification, pass a full flight physical and complete a course, which combines knowledge of all four ratings.

"After graduating prop and lift school, it was a challenging but rewarding accomplishment to be part of ACU 4," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Nathaniel Henderson, from Clemson, S.C. "The opportunity and responsibility given to me to work with multi-million dollar equipment is great and even better when you're acknowledged for the up-keep and function of the craft."

Daily preventive maintenance, painting or cleaning are some of the many responsibilities distributed equally throughout the squadron, and everyone helps each other in the detachment.

"We have a lot of skilled and diverse personnel. Their teamwork concept is outstanding, unlike any other small commands," said ACU 4 Leading Petty Officer Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 1st Class Mark Jernigan, from Plemons, N.C. "We all work together to work smarter not harder, and it doesn't matter if it's just to safely secure the craft after a long day at work."

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

Bataan ESG Partners with French, Launches COMPTUEX

By Mass Communication Specicialist 1st Class Christina Shaw, USS Bataan Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Norfolk Feb. 3 to participate in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.

COMPTUEX is the second of three at-sea training evolutions designed to prepare the strike group for its scheduled deployment later this year.

"While fleet units must be able to operate and fight effectively during major combat and high-end deterrence operations, they are also called on to operate in smaller units, often individually, in support of global maritime security operations," said Capt. Jack Sotherland, Bataan ESG commodore. "COMPTUEX helps us address the divergent nature of our tasking by training to the standard of major combat operations to ensure that we will dominate and deliver access through the sea, while providing broad deterrent capabilities from the sea."

In addition to the ships from the Bataan ESG, a host of other U.S. ships and two French ships will participate in COMPTUEX.

"Working with the crew of French Naval ship FS Tonnerre (L 9014) and FS La Motte-Piquet (D 645) will ensure increased interoperability with other countries Navies and prepare the Bataan ESG for future maritime partnerships," said Sotherland. "No one nation can do it alone. The success of our maritime strategy depends on continued interaction with the world's navies."

The Bataan ESG is comprised of Bataan; amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce (LPD 15); amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43); guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95); the Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS San Juan (751); a Marine Landing Force from 22 MEU; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Tactical Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4 and Beachmaster Unit 2.

Also participating in COMPTUEX are the French ships Tonnerre and La Motte-Picquet, USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Simpson (FFG 56), USS Boise (SSN 764), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Hawes (FFG 53), USS Kauffman (FFG 59), USS Doyle (FFG 39), USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Nicholas (FFG 47).