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Bataan ESG Completes Final Battle Problem
Story Number: NNS061107-10
Release Date: 11/7/2006 3:32:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joanne De Vera, USS Bataan Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The USS Bataan (LHD 5) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) completed the Final Battle Problem of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) Nov. 1 off the Atlantic Coast.
During the height of COMPTUEX for the Navy, the ESG underwent a 48-hour scenario designed to test the strike group with missions they might face when entering combat situations.
“The Final Battle Problem is one major milestone of the strike group in preparation for deployment,” said Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSTFL) Rear Adm. Richard O’Hanlon. “In my eyes, the Bataan ESG is ready to surge. It has become a mobile military power that will be able to go forward into the theater and operate anywhere.”
While aboard, O’Hanlon and his CSTFL staff evaluated the ESG in multiple areas throughout COMPTUEX. The amount of training prior to the exercise was demonstrated by the watch standers in the Joint Intelligence Centers (JIC), Combat Information Center (CIC), flight deck, bridge, radio, and the engineers in the power plants of each of the ships.
“JIC has a lot of great watch standers who are all very junior,” said O’Hanlon. “When we were evaluating them, it was like we were watching a group of chiefs and 1st classes, as opposed to a group of seamen and 3rds.”
During the months leading up to COMPTUEX, Bataan conducted training, both alone and with the strike group, to get ready.
“All of the preparations the strike group made have paid off, because the ESG is on track and is exactly where the Navy wants it to be in terms of proficiency,” said O’Hanlon. “Everyone in the strike group and on Bataan who’s worked so hard to get these great warships ready to go can be very proud of what they’ve done because they’ve really hit the mark.”
Bataan Commanding Officer, Capt. David Hulse, praised his crew for the ship’s successful role during the Final Battle Problem.
“Bataan played a huge role in the ESG’s overall grade,” said Hulse. “There was a tremendous amount of growth and learning, and as a team, the Bataan ESG did a fantastic job.”
After debriefing the strike group on their performance during the Final Battle Problem, O’Hanlon discussed his expectations.
“Deployment’s going to be a lot of work, and the nation expects the ESG to go forward carrying our flag,” said O’Hanlon. “I expect Bataan ESG to maintain its readiness, receive many missions and do each one of those missions very well. Everyone back home, from families to fellow countrymen, is going to be proud of Bataan.”
Bataan ESG is comprised of embarked elements of Amphibious Squadron 2, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Underwood (FFG 36), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), and USS Scranton (SSN 756). Bataan is one of 24 ships that comprise Commander, Amphibious Group 2, based at Naval Air Base Little Creek, Va. Commander, Amphibious Group 2, with its 16,000 Sailors and Marines, provides warfighting naval amphibious forces to operate with joint and combined forces for combatant commanders.
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
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