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.
