090513-N-9985W-059 NORFOLK (May 13, 2009) Tugs assists the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) departs Naval Station Norfolk on a regularly scheduled deployment. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the Bataan and the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 42). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler J. Wilson/Released)
090311-N-8154G-009 ATLANTIC OCEAN A Sailor assigned to the air department of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) moves an MV-22B Osprey from the ship's aircraft elevator into the hangar bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy L. Grisham/Released)
Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Deploys in Support of Maritime Strategy
Story Number: NNS090513-16
Release Date: 5/13/2009 11:32:00 PM
By USS Bataan Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) and 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU) began to deploy from Norfolk May 13 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.
The BATARG/22 MEU will support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operation.
To prepare for deployment, the BATARG/22 MEU successfully completed expeditionary strike group integration, a composite unit training exercise and a certification exercise.
"This is probably what I consider to be the best trained, the best equipped naval unit to deploy in quite sometime," said Capt. Jack Sotherland, Amphibious Squadron 2 commander. "Each one of our ships is in tip-top condition.
"The Sailors are primed; they're ready. They've been training very hard for this, and we're in a position to take care of whatever our nation calls upon us to do."
The BATARG/22 MEU provides the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of the Navy's maritime strategy.
The Navy, in coordination with the Marine Corps, is returning to the amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit deployment construct as the routine, rotational amphibious force deployment package.
Returning to the ARG/MEU construct will enable the Navy to more efficiently meet geographic combatant commander requirements.
The baseline construct for an ARG/MEU includes an amphibious squadron (PHIBRON), an amphibious assault ship (LHA/D), amphibious transport dock (LPD), dock landing ship (LSD), embarked naval support elements and an embarked MEU.
"The amphibious ships bring incredible power – as much help as we can bring hurt," said Capt. Sam Howard, Bataan's commanding officer. "The amphibious readiness group is centered on a very capable ship, USS Bataan, and together with the commander of Amphibious Squadron Two, we're greater than the sum of our hull numbers."
The BATARG is comprised of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 42).
The 22 MEU includes a ground combat element, battalion landing team from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; an aviation combat element, part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (reinforced); a logistics combat element from Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and the MEU's command element.
For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/
