tt mmm ■M UnAicuv QlazxMv Dedicated to our fallen comrades who gave their life in pursuit of Operation Enduring Freedom 02 ■Table of Contents The Man in the Arena 4-5 USSBATAAN Commanding Officer Captain Martin R.Allard 6-7 USSBATAAN Executive Officer Captain (Set) Glenn M. Brunner 8 USS BATA AN CMDMQSW AW) Michael Tsikouris 9 COMPH1BRON EIGHT Commodore Kenneth M. Rome 10 COMPHIBRON CSO Commander John B. Skillman 11 COMPHIBRON CMC MMCM(SW) Robert McCord 12 26 lh MEU Commanding Officer Colonel Andrew P. Frick 13 26 ' MEU Executive Officer Lt Colonel Gary R.Oles 14 26 ,h MEU Sergeant Major William McKnightJr 15 AIMD (Air Intermediate Maintenance Department) 16 Air Department 34 C4I (Command, Control. Communication. Computers and Intelligence) 50 Combat Cargo 64 Combat Systems 66 Command Religious Ministries 78 Deck Department 80 Dental Department 94 Engineering Department 96 Executive Department 120 Medical Department 127 Medical Tends to Afghanistan Patients 132 Fleet Surgical Team 134 Navigation Department 136 Operations Department 140 Safety and MWR Office 160 Security. 162 Supply Department 190 ACUFOUR 192 BMUTWO 196 EODTeam 198 PH1BRON Staff 202 SARDET 206 SEALTeam8 210 TACRON Staff. 212 Glory Gator Supports Operation Enduring Freedom and Bataan Survivor Series 216 Workups 228 September 1 1 Photograph of the Raising of the Ground Zero Flag 238 September 19 Day of Departure 239 Exercise Bright Star 240 SoudaBay 242 Celebrate the Holidays 244 United We Stand 246 Operation Enduring Freedom and Honoring the Ground Flag 248 We had fun and Talent Show 268 USO 272 What ' s a Little Working Party 274 Steel Beach Picnic ' s I and II 276 We Worked Out MWR Activities 280 DV Operations 284 Meet the Artists 286 JebelAli 288 Malta 290 Rota 292 The Rail and Family Support Group 294 Tiger Cruise 296 Homecoming 298 Did You Know, Facts from the Cruise 302 Cruise Book Staff 303 03 04 ' ■. ' ■l ! ■■■-,■:,. .. The Man in the Arena It ' s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause. ThcodorcRooscvelt 05 Commanding Officer Captain Martin R. Allard Hometown: Jacksonville Beach, Florida College: University of Florida Favorite Pastime: Fishing Favorite Movie: Alljohn Wayne Movies Favorite Quote: The Man in the Arena by Theodore Roosevelt Person Most Admired: George Bush, Sr. Favorite Sport: Football Favorite Music: Country and Western Favorite Actor: John Wayne Family: Wife, Claire Schumacher, Daughter, Amanda and Son, Guy Philosophy on Life: Pride is a personal commitment; it is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity. Operation EI immediately to support either combat operations or possible humanitarian assistance in New York City. While not needed immediately, BATAAN and her crew sailed again for a regularly scheduled six month deployment on September 19 th , 2001. knew that as we left port that this would be an extended combat deployment. Having just completed our arduous pre-deployment work- ups, I felt lucky to be in command of what 1 consider to be the best warship with the finest crew in the U.S. Navy. I y daughter, a student at the University of Florida, had called me right after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. She was not only concerned for my safety, but was obviously very worried about what was happening and if everything was going to be alright. She sounded scared, which bothhurt me and yet made me very angry. Like parents everywhere, job number one has always been ensuring the safety of our children. 1 remembered thinking that one of the reasons 1 joined the Navy was so that no one in America would ever have to be afraid at home. That if we had to go to war, it would be in our enemy ' s back yard. I felt almost as if 1 had failed in that sacred mission. Just a lew short months later however, I take great pride in the fact that we have taken the war to our enemies, over hall a world away, and that Al Queda and Taliban organized resistance has been crushed Who else but America can send her warriors so far away ami tchieve such a great victory, in so short of a period of time. My daughter doesn ' t need to be afraid now, nor do other Americans. I don ' t know what lies alter Afghanistan. I ' ll let my President, who is so capably leading America in this war, decide that lor me. ( omh.it readiness and mission accomplishment remain as always the locus ol the Naval sen ice. It is said that somethinggood comes from all things evil. The cowardly attacks on defenseless civilians has brought a resurgence of patriotism to our country that has been sorely missed. 1 have been immensely proud ofBATAAN ' s crew and her embarked incs p rformance, and indeed of all Americans. The outpouring of support and prayers from our fellow countrymen has ply been astonishing. For all these things I am grateful. The Skipper 06 ' i ' ifiHSHB un ■. b ■■. . - Executive Officer Captain(Sel) Glenn M. Brunner Hometown: Germantown, Wisconsin College: Purdue University Favorite Pastime: Woodland hiking Favorite Movie: Gettysburg Favorite Quote: Don ' t let go of the rope Person Most Admired: Abraham Lincoln Favorite Sport: Football Favorite Music: Bach Favorite Actor: John Wayne Family: Wife, Ann. Children: Heidi, Alissa, Matthew and Lee Philosophy on Life: You Reap What You Sow Rnsider myself to be especially fortuna assigned to the USS Bataan. She is a i . Jerful ship because she has a wonderful crew. I ' ve never seen a crew do so much so well. I am continually impressed at the professionalism and leadership displayed at all levels. We made it look easy, day in and day out the launching and recovery of aircraft and LCACs seemingly never stopped but we never missed a step. And the greatest experience of all is working with the professionals that make it happen. That is why I ' ve stayed in this busi ness for 30 years and will find it difficult to ever leave. 1 1 only our enem ies could see the wonderful things we as -America have to offer and all the people willing to be their friends. The joy of freedom can be seen in the laces of many of -e young people on Bataan. It can ' t be hidden, it just radiates. But our enemies are blinded by h are and false religion. It was their choice tii live their lives in darkness but someone should have told them about one of our early American history flags that says, Don ' t tread on me . You reap what you sow, and i :omeof ! rim reaper and the eternal bey deserve. 1 am proud to be an nd thankful I was able to be at the ight time with the right d ' s judgement. God Command Master Chief CMDMC(SW AW) Michael Tsikouris Hometown: Campbell, Ohio College: Youngstowm State University Favorite Pastime: Reading, Collecting Comics, Climbing Favorite Movie: Moonstruck Favorite Quote: We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit. Aristode Person Most Admired: My Uncle Nick, the Cop Favorite Sport: Baseball Favorite Music: Progressive Alternative Rock Favorite Actor: Christopher Walken Family: Wife, Normajean. Children: Nicholas, Maria and Anna Philosophy on Life: Life ' s precious moments, and all your memories are only as special as you make them. Savor life, seize the moment. Operation Enduring Freedom. When this all started, it was just another catch phrase to add to all the other operations I ' ve lived through in my 27 years of service to my country. But it didn ' t take long to sec that this was unlike anything I ' ve ever taken part in. All of a sudden, folks outside of my ship, outside of the ARG, knew what we were doi rig. People all over the country were doing whatever they could to he a part.. .to show their support for all our Sailors and Marines out here. They were doing all they could to show us we were not alone out here. Over the months at sea, with precious little liberty for the crew, each and every holiday from Thanksgiving to Valentine ' s Day, was received with letters and cards from so many children and adults, from schools, churches, and just Americans from all over, sending care packages lor our Marines in the field in Khandahar, in Rhino, and so many 01 : :s in Afghanistan. Packages and cards were sent to so many; Sailors standing the watch night and day on our sh !ps out here. So many Americans wished they could DO something. Suddenly, WE were their spear: WE were the heroes of so many kids back home. Out here to protect their homes and families. This was evident in all their letters. And it was evident in the boost of moral n all of us out here. That ' s when t realized how lucky 1 was. THIS is the time to serve. THIS was the place to be. We became a part of history during this deployment. I could not be prouder of the Sailors and Marines I had the privilege to serve with during Operation Enduring Freedom. 09 Commander Amphibious Squadron Eight Captain Kenneth M. Rome Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas College: University of Texas Favorite Pastime: Golf, Tennis Woodworking and Gardening, Favorite Movie: Mister Roberts Person Most Admired: My Father Favorite Sport: Golf, Tennis, Football, Softball Favorite Music: R B Favorite Actor: Morgan Freeman Family: Wife, Sharon and Sons, Richard andjames Philosophy on Life: You serve yourself well by serving others. Deployment during Operation ENDURI I ' G I R IT HON 1 presented each of us the opportunity to contribute, in real terms, to the defeat of the terrorist organizations which undertook the attacks on the United States in September 2001 . Our Amphibious Ready Croup (ARG) and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) filled a significant and critical role in the overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the pursuit and capture of terrorist leaders. BATAAN ARG steadily, quietly and successfully accomplished even ' mission assigned during this deployment. In addition to the difficult work of operating ships at sea we conducted all our amphibious operations from over the horizon; we inserted our Marines far inland into Afghanistan; we flew hundreds of fixed and rotary wing combat sorties; un- supported our Marines ashore for two months; we stopped and searched suspect vessels to prevent terrorist leaders from fleeing the area; we held terrorist detainees tor interrogation wnd further movement to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; we treated combat injuries in our medical spaces and in Afghanistan; we located, neutralized and exploited enemy ordnance in Afghanistan; we provided rescue and assistance at sea; we conducted exercises in the Mediterranean and North Arabian Seas to further strategic Navy goals; we provided security forces to supply and pre positioning ships transiting the AOR; and we had some fun injebel Ali Every individual in our Task Groups carried their share of the burden and performed exceedingly well in accomplishing their dut ies. I ' m terribly proud to have served with the loyal , dedicated and talented Sailors and Marines of Amphibious Squadron EIG1 IT and 26th Marine Expeditionary I (Special Operations Capable). 10 Chief Staff Officer CDR John B. SkiUman Hometown: St. Paris, Ohio College: USNA— The goat is old and gnarly and he ' s never been to school. Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my family outside, preferably on the water. Favorite Movie: Caddyshack. My children think Bill Murray imitates me. Favorite Quote: I ' ve got that going for me. Person Most Admired: My father Favorite Sport: Basketball Favorite Music: Dead White Men in wing tip shoes, (i.e. Como, Sinatra, Bennett, wait he isn ' t dead.) Favorite Actor: Clark Gable Family: Incomplete without them. Leader of the Clan. Philosophy on Life: Carpe Diem. We have been fortunate that our regularly scheduled deployment allowed us to immediately move from our shock and horror from 9 11 to action in removing Afghanistan as a hotbed of terror. Unlike so many others who were not allowed to act, we were given that opportunity and performed flawlessly. Every bit of training received was put to use as the BATAAN ARG successfully supported the 26 MEU (SOC) ashore in Afghanistan as they established a foothold of stability within that war ravaged country. The sheer numbers of flight hours and ship to shore moves are tangible examples of our impact there. The part that we have played in the initial phases of Operation EN ' DURl N ' G FREEDOM and our struggle against world wide terrorism will always be a source of pride and genuine respect for the professionals with whom 1 served. JJ PHIBRON Command Master Chief MMCM(SW) Robert McCord Hometown: Parker, Colorado College: Yea, right! Favorite Pastime: Relaxing in the backyard drinking beer. Favorite Movie: African Queen Favorite Quote: ' It ' s not the money (we don ' t make enough), so its got to be the fun . Mine Person Most Admired: Of course, Cynthia Louise McCord for putting up withmy @%. Favorite Sport: Golf Favorite Music: Old Time Rock and Roll Favorite Actor: John Wayne Jimmy Stewart Family: Wife Cindy. Ryan, my son lives in Summersville, SC. The rest of the McCord clan resides in Colorado. Philosophy on Life: Never, never take your work home with you. The persons of the US Armed Forces are and will continue to be the police force of the world. Our job forces us ro the far ends of the globe defending our country ' s interests abroad. It is a job we eagerly accepted when we joined the Navy. Some people of the world feel the need to wage war on civilians doing their day to day jobs, bothering no one, just earning a better life for themselves and their families. We will provide justice for those families and using any means available to defend our country, which we love so dear. Operation Enduring Freedom shows the world that we will not tolerate any attack on our people, and that our people are united as ONE! I am extremely proud to be part of an elite team of professionals to carry out this task. We all have served our country well. GOD BLESS the men and women of the United States Navy and the People ol the United l I .America. k i rw 26th MEU Commanding Officer COL Andrew P. Frick Hometown: Hamburg, New Jersey College: Wagner College Favorite Pastime: Outdoor activities Favorite Movie: Adventure movies Person Most Admired: Teddy Roosevelt Favorite Sport: Running Favorite Music: Jazz Favorite Actor: Clint Eastwood Family: Wife, Jeanette and Son, Patrick. Philosophy on Life: Life is too short to be a spectator sport, go out and influence it. hat was touted as a routine deployment — was anything Dut routine. The events of September 11 changed our thought process, but never our locus. From the initial media interest of our departure on September 19 th to the cold windswept plateaus of Afghanistan, the Marines and Sailors of the 26th M EU (SOC) and PHIBRON 8 never wavered The months of training were complete and the look of determination was evident in the faces of the young Marines and Sailors, a forbearance of things to come. Your unprecedented cooperation, team attitude and Espirit de Corps displayed what we all felt — We may be going, we must be prepared . The well trained crews of the BATAAN coupled with the Marines of 26 MEU (SOC), provided a potent force striking the enemy where he lived, striking deep into his homeland exposing his vulnerability. Your unswerving commitment, tenacity and ingenuity enabled you to strike at the heart of those who threaten our way of life. Those who brought terror to our homeland, our countrymen and our loved ones. The superb training and operational readiness of the ARG N IE V team were keyin the deepest amphibious operation in history. Younvillingsacrifices, devotion to duty and comminucntwerc c racial to our success. I am proud to know and serve wi t h each Marine and Sailor of the BATAAN ARG 26 1 MEU(SOC) team. You are Americas finest! Semper Fi. 26th MEU XO LtCol Gary Oles Hometown: GaryBettendorf, Iowa College: Iowa State Favorite Pastime: Kayaking Favorite Movie: Jeremiah Johnson Favorite Quote: No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full. Sulla Those who expect to reap the lessons of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine Person Most Admired: Teddy Roosevelt Favorite Sport: Baseball, St Louis Cardinals Favorite Music: Rage Against the Machine, Led Zeppelin and old blues music like Muddy Waters. Favorite Actor: ril watch anything with John Wayne, Robert DeNiro or Clint Eastwood. Family: Wife, Deb. Children: Ashley, Zachary, Elizabeth Philosophy on Life: I have a picture of an Iowa classroom with a sign over the chalkboard, To do and to bear is the duty of life. In other words, good and bad happens to everybody. Hardship doesn ' t make you special, we all face it. How you handle it is what makes you special. So, handle it. Wc were gi en a great honor because we were given the first crack at righting a great wrong. We showed up with the right gear, the right guys and the right attitude. Coupled with the actions of others, we made the Taliban and Al Queda sorry t hey ' d ever i the name Osama Bin Laden. And although we tried to be professional and not talk about revenge, payback w hate er, the bastards rated everything that they got! We shouldn ' t mal much of it, of course. We are a professional ream and we performed is a professional team is expected to perform. We did c.vi what the Navy, Marine Corps Team is built to do project pow er ashore into a hostile land in order to defend our country and our i s what 1 signed up for and I ' m glad I got another 26th MEU SGTMAJ SGTMAJ William McKnight Jr. Hometown: Sumter, South Carolina Favorite Pastime: Jogging and reading Favorite Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still Favorite Quote: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. JFK Person Most Admired: Chris, Devin and Denzel Favorite Sport: Football Favorite Music: Old school jams Favorite Actor: Bill Cosby Family: Single Philosophy on Life: Do all you can and feel damn good about living life to the fullest. It starred Sept. 11, with the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. Man) ' Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit were either returning from leave or still enjoying their rime oil with iamily and loved ones. With only a skeleton crew back in the rear, the Marines were busily making final preparations for the six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, then only days away. When we heard the horrific news of what was happening, we felt many of the same emotions as everyone else in America: shock, disbelief, concern and rage. We also felt anticipation, because we knew we might get the chance to do something about it. When we sailed away from the c orth Caroli na on Sept 20, we had one mission in mind help the fight against terrorism worldwide. During the initial weeks of the deployment, things went pretty much as scheduled, with routine training and an exercise in the literranean. Then, on Nov. 11, our prospects improved significantly as we were ordered to proceed through the Suez Canal to the North Arabian Sea ro conduct combat operations in Afghanistan. You could see the changes rywhere. Everybody had a renewed bounce in their step, they moved with a sense of purpose, and their locus sharpened because they knew that this meant they would have a lot to do in a very short period of time. By the time we arrived ol I the coast ot Pakistan we were ' chomping at the bit ' and ready to go. Planning eonrinued, however, and we heard several different rumors a day about where we might go and what we would do when we got there. Finally, in early December, we got the word that we would be going in tomorrow. Ultimately, 26th MEU (SOC) found itself conducting combat operations in Afghanistan for nearly months. We based forces in Pasni. Shamsi and Jacobabab, kistan, and at Camp Rhino, Kandahar ' and Kabul, Afghanist Ourcombat operal : title space 700 ! in to conducting an amphibious operation from the Texas coast near Houston, with forces in San .Antonio, TX, Baton Rouge, U . Oklahoma City. OK, Topeka, KS and Kansas City, MO. We reopened an embass) , seized and secured an airport, dropped bombs, conducted raids, cleared caves and housing complexes. We set flying rd.s every day and sustained ourselves over the amphibious assault in our history. But more than anything. n a great honor, to be the first ones with a chance to put things right, to root out the evil that perpetrated on September II th. - AIMD BATAAN Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department Mission. To enhance and sustain the combat readiness and mission capability of HMM-365 (REIN) and HO 6 DET 1 by providing high quality, timely maintenance and material support at the nearest location with the lowest practical resource expenditure. ■' •■• l BiLl Center: AS1(AW SW) Viano. Row 1 : AK3(AW) Ramos, AM1(AW SW) Bennett, AZ2(AW) Harris, AZ2(AW) Viera, AZ2(AW SW) Jones, AT1(AW SW) Woods, AZ3(AW) Daye and AMC(AW SW) Harman. Row 2 : ATl(AW) Maschok, AD2(AW SW) Ruiz, AZ1(AW SW) Howerton, ATl(AW) Shirley, AZ1(AW SW) Rouse, LAZAN (AW) Guzowski. Missing: AEC(AW SW) Dunn (below) AKl(AW) Speaker. 9 % 1 ll I iisL i 1 WW i u E_ ■22 ' ' ■■' ■• ' ■.■' ■■■Row 1: AT3(AW) Castillo, AT2(AW) Mclnnis and AEl(AW) Bowser. Row 2: AT1(AW SW) Zukerman, AT1(AW SW) Engel, AE3 (AW) Thames, AT3 (AW) Garnette, AT2 Carman, A03(AW) Tardif, AOl(AW) Ballco and ATC(AW SW) Nicholson. Row 3: AE3(AW) Breland, AT3(AW) Williams, AT2(AW) Smith, ATAN (AW) Weber and MM1 (SW AW) Burger. Missing: AT2(AW SW) Wescott. Row 1: ASl(AW) Clavecilla, AS3(AW) Reynolds, ASAA(AW) Corbin, ASAN(AW) Granville, AS3(AW) Alemayehu Row 2: AZ3(AW) Smith, AS3(AW) Marchal, ASAN(AW) Hight, AS3(AW) Meester, AS3(AW) Dillinger, AS2(AW SW) Alberty, AS3(AW) Scott and ASCS(AW SW) Borslien. Row 3: AS3(AW) Stewart, ASAN Sampel, AS2(AW) Caplinger, AS2(AW SW) Atkins, AS3(AW) Thomson, AS2(AW) Harrell and AS2(AW) Thome. lissing: AS3 Baldado, AR Grey and ASAN Tonge. 5V WM to_ Sgy «3r i ■■ r — n ■Bft v  -. k T5 ■— 1 s« l • 30 AIM D Marine Detachment I ■:. iais-L Jt $ • ' a ? J, a? ' 4 3J u AMD Awards w M k } . [ n . If •?;■Ik ▼ 1 ■I 4 fc PI .J I k w - V, f 7 9 r ▼ _ _ 33 ■■HH Proud, Professional, and Committed to Excellence Air Department ' s mission is to safely launch, recover, fuel, and move aircraft on Bataan ' s flight deck and hangar bay, and be able to instantly respond to a crash, fire or any other emergency. Working as a team with the embarked Air Combat Element, we ensure maximum readiness and safety in support of Marine personnel and equipment assaulting the beach head. We accomplish this by implementing an aggressive and comprehensive training program that ensures our personnel are thoroughly trained and qualified to perform their jobs professionally. The Air Department is renowned for superb planning, outstanding adaptability to operational requirements, and consistently exceeding all expectations. This extraordinary group of professionals has set new records in LHD LHA flight hours, aircraft moves, elevator runs, andJP- 5 refueling during a deployment, and these records were set in less than five months! 34 V-1 Flight Deck Crash Salvage ABH3 Achonye ENS Adams ANAdorno ABH3Aldridge ABHAN Allen AN Arias ABHAN Barone AN Bengco ABH3Bigbie ABHANBrown ABHAN Bryant AN Brown AN Carter AN Castanon ABH3 Catbagan AN Clark ABH3 Davis LT Denham CDR Dargan ABH1 Diaz AN Dervishi ABH3 Dowdy ABH3 England AN Fong ABHIGoodlow AN Greene ABHC Guajardo ANHopson LT Hutchinson ABH3 Ibarra ANJackson ANJenkins ANJimenez ANJones YN3 Kennedy ABHC Kouskouris ABHAN Lazear ABH1 Lemons AN Mackey ABH3 McCann ABH3 Miller ABHAN Morocho ABH30livieri ABH2 Ortizmoya AN Pascador ABH2 Piazza AN Pittman AN Rinehart AN Rodriguez AN Sargeant AN Shaw ABH1 Smith ABH2 Smith ABH3 Smith AN Smith ABHCStackler ANStrojny AN Taylor AN Thomas AN Tobias- Martinez AN LJrbina ANUtnehmer ABH3Vandaveer AN Vassie lill X uiion ANWaldrop AN Walton AN Watson ANWhorlcy ABH2 Williams AN Williams AN Wilson 1 1 Wilson LTJG Winfrey AN Wise ABHC York A Zungia 36 mm m m ■■■riquez,A ( ) ' illui ho. 37 r 1 B I i i s ir .£ - M ! Iks 5 s VLc M Ei . j 1 40 41 I 43 Airman Alam receives the Meritorious Service Medal for assisting Marines from the 26th MEU (SOC) interpret the language of the Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees. ABFAN Aekyung SN Burris AN Cruzescano ABFAN Gaddy AN Hunt AN Martinez ABFAN Ramos ABF3 Rondon ABF2 Toolsieram AN Beck CW03 Becker ABFAABenner ABF1 Burke AN Busby ABFC Campbell ABF3 Chapin AN Crawford ABF1 Edmonson AN Edwards ABF3 Fagins ABF3 Fuda ABFAN Graybeal ABFAN Hawkins ABFAN Hendrix AN Hugo ABF3Jaffar ABF2Jeffcoat AN Johnson AN Li ABF2 McGrew ABF3 Montgomery AN Pinedagalvan AN Quiambao ABF3 Reeson ABFCReid AN Rentz ABFAN Richardson AN Seward AN Sheppard AN Stridiron ABFlSwartz ABFAN Torres AN Trotman ABF3Wood ABF3 Young J 49 Command and Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) Department maintains and operates external and internal communications systems, Logistical, Non-Tactical and Tactical Information systems supporting the combined missions of the Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Operations Commanders in addition to ship ' s company. Ratings supporting the Departments mission are Information Systems Technicians, Electronics Technicians and Interior Communications Electricians. Top Row: ITC Westfall, ETC Lamon, ITC Wilson, LT Cameron, ET1 Potak, IT1 Carter, IT2 Danielson, IT1 Topolski and ET2 Sigmon Front Row: ITSN Knowlton, IT3 Sigmund, ITSN Self, ET3 Sinsel, ITSN Thater, ITSN Bair and ET3 Abernathy. Second Row: IT3 Garduno, IT3 Wilson, IT3 Caskey, ET3 Henshaw, IT3 Morales, IT2 Dawson, IT3 Branch, ET2 Lopez and ET2 Long. Third Row: ET2 Hughes, ET2 Marek, ET2 Jones, IT2 Sauceda, IT3 Terwilleger, IT3 Bunker and IT3 Zahn. I ■War Paint Photo: First Row: Ensign Chaffee, ICl(SW) Brown, ICFN Pulley, IC3 Mcleod and ETCM(SW) Adams Second Row: ICl(SW) Masters, ICFN Meads, IC3 Swafford, ICFN Morrison and ICl(SVV) Trice Ground Zero Flag Photo: Kneeling: IC2(SW) Nazario. First Row: ICl(SW) Manning, IC2 Lopez, ICFN Salsburry and IC2 Quackenbush. Not Pictured: IC2(SW)Cohn. _1 ■p 1 1 4 ' : I 20 12 2001 56 1 V First Row: ITCS Brzuchalski, ITC Lester, IT2 Urion, IT3 Salva, IT2 Locke, ITSN Solorio, IT1 Faison, IT2 Battle, IT2 Riley, IT2 Smith and IT3 Caban. Second Row: 1T3 Landeros, IT3 Knight, IT3 Vinson, IT1 Yates, ITSN Evans, IT3 Clementsen, IT1 Knott, IT3 Fountain, IT3 Foster, IT2 Tibai, 1T3 Bell, IT2 Yepez and LT Green. 59 rst Row: ET3(SW) (The Man) Mann, ET2 (The Mole) Fox, ET3 Bergman, ET3(Simple) Green, ET3 Bangtson, ET3(SW) (Scoup) Ehrhardt, ET3 (Little guy) Goins, ET3(SW) (Bull Dozer) Bradshaw, ET2 Atkins and ETC(SW)(Big Daddy) Niks. Second Row: ETC (SW AW) Fitzgerald, ET3 ( Happy)Graf, ETSN (Big Red) Roohan, ET2 ( Rib Tickler) Baurichter, ET ( Hot Rod) Slusher, ET3(SW) Blankinship, ET3( Tire Belly) Drys, ET3 ( Big Hands) Ash , ET3 (Special officer Duty) Duffiel and ET3 Waddleton. 3 Combat Cargo iff the Combat Cargo Department from the Embarkatk as part of ship ' s company for two years. Combat Cargo is a special staff assigned to the Commanding Officer. This team advises the CO on all matters and issues pertaining to the Marine Corps. Combat Cargo ' s primary mission is to oversee items of Marine Corps interest, acts as liaison between the ship and all embarkec Marine Corps units, and as the ship ' s load master. Underway, Combat Cargo is responsible for the safe anc efficient embark and debark of all personnel, cargo, mail and vehicles by helicopters and landing craft. Combat Cargo also takes the lead in moving all cargo arriving via vertical replenishment, preparing and slinging all retrograde material, and executes all stretcher bearer duties during mass casualties. L Combat Systems Combat Systems Department is made up of Combat Weapons, Combat Guns, and Combat Ordnance Divisions and is composed of Fire Control Technicians, Gunner ' s Mates and Aviation Ordnancemen, respectively. The department supports amphibious and air operations by maintaining and operating USS BATAAN ' s offensive and defensive weapons systems. This includes command and control displays, the SPS-48E and TAS Air Search Radars, NATO Sea Sparrow and Rolling Airframe Missile Systems and the Close In Weapon System, in addition to .50 caliber and 25mm weapons and all of the ship ' s small arms. Additionally, the department manages aviation ordnance and maintains the embarked MEU ' s supply of ammunition. Combat Systems Kneeling: GM3(SW) Upshaw. Standing: GM3 Green, GMl(SW) Haro, ENS Peredo, A03 Coss, GM2(SW) Rameriz and GMC(SW AW) Kivley. . Ml iillr xwffll H flfll iH Ml o JFtttttwi 68 You ' re not Combat ready until you ' re armed by combat ordance ■■v vvuzriope AOl Holmes AOl Orr A02Ferette A03 Fox A03 Hunt A03 Mastin A03Law AOAN Hagcrman (U Himcl AOAN Mcfarlane AOC Grant AOl Knorr A02Valdez A02 Tucker A03H1U A03Wirth A03 Walters AOANSlowik AOAN Thomas AOAN Taylor AOAN Dutcher Parkhu AOl Delemater A02 Smith A02 Steele A03 Reeves A03 Eschan A03 Roberts AOAN Casborn AOAN Ddeldunno AOAN Russell AOAN Conner AOl II. ; Oi Sti AOA l 70 LTJG liurwell FC2 Jones FC2 Pope FC2 Greene FC2 Eck FC2 Reese FC2 Runningen Hartley FC3 Ras FC3 Alexam I FCC Lelache FC2 Houser FC2 Landry FC2 Lorts FC2 Watts FC2 Harrison FC3 Flores FC3 Stevens FC3 Vickers FC3 McCants V l .S ■nm FCC Franklin FCl Paseka FC2 Sanders FC2 Schermuly FC2 Morgan FC2 Cleary FC2 Reaves FC2 Roeder FC2 Castro-Gonzalez FC2 McNeely FC2 McCord FC2 Salascruz FC3 Vaughn FC3 Russell FC3 Lansangan FC3 Smith FC 3 Jameson FC3 Sanchez FC3 Thuneman FC3Walla y J llkj ' r ' Jl BJ HP B I ■■■■H ■■H Command Religious Ministries The vision of the Command Religious Ministries Department is to develop and strengthen the spiritual and moral character of ship ' s crew and family members and to maintain total readiness to accomplish all assigned missions in the highest professional tradition of the United States Navy and the Navy Chaplain Corps. DECK Deck Departments is responsible for maintaining the Bridge Watchstanding: Boatswain ' s Mate of the Watch, Helmsman, Lee Helmsman, Messenger of the Watch, Lookouts and Aftersteering Helmsman. Deck also aids in initiating the standard daily routine and safe navigation of the ship. This department maintains and operates underway replenishment for receiving and delivering equipment, fuel, cargo, personnel and stores. Another of its duties is to maintain and operate ship ' s small boats, life rafts and lifesaving equipment, including ground tackle, towing and mooring equipment. Deck is responsible for well deck operations during the embarkation and debarkation of conventional landing craft, LCAC ' s and LCU ' s. They also maintain and operate equipment for shipboard preservation while maintaining the ship ' s Search Air Rescue Swimmer program. 80 DeckRuksW. 1STDIV 2nd Div LTJG Bowman BMlGibbs BM3 Watson SN Coleman SRLamotte SN Salmeron BMC Lemond SRAallison BM3 White SN Davis SANash SA Salter SN Aiken BM2 Statler SNWalz SR Files SR Powell SN Schiavone S A Anderson BM3Heistand SNChisolm SR Kurtz SA Rackley SN Stevens Boats and Sides Bos ' nCrear BMlCox SN Geisking SN Marino BM3 Levasseure Bos ' nHankins SN White SNReddick SN Brown ENS Porfirio LT Gonzales SNVanDoren SNTrevino SN Austin BM3 White SNEhlert SN Louis-Jean k itt p . T 1 1 ™ ' 4th F 1 Engineering The Engineering Department consists of more than 200 Sailors who are responsible for all mechanical and electrical provisions throughout the entire ship, from how to stern. The Chief Engineer is overall responsible for the proper performance of the department duties at all levels i n the chain of command. There are five major divisions that make up the Engineering Department; lain Propulsion, Electrical, .Assault, Auxiliary and Repair. CHENG DC A 97 I ADiv Cuxiliary Division, the key quality of life supporter is responsible for the preventive and corrective ance of six 300 ton Air Conditioning Units, three Refrigeration Plants, two 2000 kW Emergency Diesel Generators, two High- Pressure Air Compressors, five Low-Pressure Air Compressors, Hot Water Heaters, Laundr and Galley Equipment, Ready Life Boat, and Captain ' s Gig. Assault Div The Assault Division, responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of the Electro-Hydraulic Steering Gear, Anchor Windlass, Port and Starboard Aircraft Elevators, Ballast Deballast Compressors, Monorails, Stern Gate, and Cargo Weapons Elevators. This division is heavily involved in the support of Flight Quarters, Ammunitions Moves, and Condition 1A LCAC Operations. 102 E Div The Electrical Division is responsible for the steady and uninterrupted distribution of 2500 kw, 4009 amps, 450 volts, 60 Hz, and three-phases of electrical power for ship ' s service use. Branch shops in the division include the Motor Rewind, Lighting, Distribution, Electrical Tool Issue and Assault Shops. Kneeling: EMI Hemphill, EMI Quezada, EMFN House, EMFN Polanco, EM3 Allison-Lyons, EM3 Lopez, EMFN Gadvaysalas, EM3 Velizandoval and EM2 Mengesha. 2nd Row: EMI Williams, EMFN Salifu, EMFN Poore, EM2 Poe, EMFN Washington, EM3 Jelinek, EM3 White, EM3 Riley, EM3 Slater, EMFN Maddox and EMI Reese. 3rd Row: EMFN Innocent, EM3 Hardy, EM3 Garra, EM3 Burch, EM3 Macarthy, EMFN Kerbo, EM2 Daubon, EM2 Phelps and EM2 Brown. 4th Row: EM3 Rucker, EM2 Hadley, EM3 Cochran, EMFN Pena, EM3 Bonhomme and EM3 Hunt. 1Q5 V HAW J S MP Aft The Main Propulsion Division, the largest division in Engineering, is responsible for the preventive and corrective nance of two Combustion Engineering 600 psi V2M D- type Boilers, two Turbine Driven Main Engines, two ,000 gpd Six-Stage Flash Type Distilling Plants, five Turbine Driven Generators, and all associated auxiliary pment in support of main propulsion. Kneeling: MM2(SW AW) Tucker, MMC(SW) Lassley, FN Capetillo, MM3 Reeder, FN Rodriquez, FN Hoose, FN Leon, .13 Moore, MMCS(SWVAW) Szydlowski, ENS Baldwin, MM3 Juarez, FN Ashman, FN Cruz, FN Huls, FN Means, FN ood, MM2(SW) Cornstuble, FN Wilbum, MM2 Ash and FN(SW) Glymph. Standing: MMl(SW) George, MM2(SW) Sawyer, FN Quick, MM2(SW) Cragun, FN JeanLous, MM3 Wright, MMl(SW) ig, FN Walker, FN Espinal, FN Glover, FN Titus, MM3 Newby, FNThreadgill, FN Cole, MM3 Lonjers, FN Cabrejascruz, £N) Hicks, MM3 Janssen, FN Bullock and MM2(SW AW) Bethley. : FN Diktarewicz, FN Chan, FN Troisi, FN Daley, FN Johnson, FN Oliver and FN Worthy. MP Forward Sitting: MM3 Fisher, MMC(SW) Mares and FN Glancy. Kneeling: MM3(SW) Sigler, FN Castleberry, FN Griffin and FN Liu. Standing: ENS Pettry, MMl(SW) Garrison, FN Lemmons, FN Davis, FN Neelson, FN Cardenas, MM3(SW) Condron, Fuentes, MM 3 Mamounis, FN Anderson, MM3 Wasilewski, FN Bolden, FN Vasquez, MM3 Harrick, FN Erich, MJ Henderson, MM2(SW) Hall, MM3(SW) Castro, MM3 Kennel, FN Biggy, MM3 Streets, FN Brown, MM3 Rausch, FN Pergji MM2(SW AW) Carter, FN Wenzel and MM2(SW AW) Waters. ■■■■■■112 I4 ■■H The Repair Division plays a key role in the damage control, fire fighting capabilities and stability of the ship. division is responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of 10 Damage Control Repair Lockers, six AFFF Stations, five Decon Stations, repair of ship structures and CHT piping systems. The division is also responsibi training all newly reported personnel in basic and advanced Damage Control techniques. JJ6 senan, HT1 Bermeo, DC3 Leal, DC1 Dilmore, HT3 Leyba,DCCS DeBeau, MR2 Fortys and DC3 luchv iding I ( DR crmilyea. Ens King, DC2 Petrie, DC2 Vaughn, DC3 Morando, DC3 Torres, HTC Ihle, DC3 Davis, D iterbach, DC3 Schmidt, DC3 Pexton, HTFN Young, HT3 Daniel, HT3 Higginbotham, HT1 Bonii MIC Baldwin, ENS Csapo and HTC James. )C2 The cost of freedom is always high - and Americans have always paid it. And the path we she I never choose, and that is the path of surrender or submission. - John F. Kennedy 119 ■Executive Executive Department is comprised of Yeomen, Personnelmen, Navy Counselors, Legalmen, Lithographers Draftsmen and Journalists while an Electrician ' s Mate and Boatswain ' s Mate round out the Executive Team. Executive Department caters to each individual Sailor by providing customer service with enlisted and office) service records; career enhancing advice; legal counseling; printing needs; entertainment, information, publicity anc the ship ' s material readiness. Together, these offices take care of all BATAAN administrative matters. Kneeling: PNC Zigler, JOCS(SW AW) Tamberg, Lt Lanzone, EMCS(SVvVAW) Reyes, LIC(SW AW)Jackson, V C(SW AW) Brightharp and NCC(SW AW) Rogowoski. Standing: YN3 Burns, LI 2 Belcher, LNl(SVWAW) Champagne, PN2(SW AW) Lavelle, YN2(SW AW) Baker, YN1(SW SS Gorsuch, YN2(SW W)Harris, YN2(SW AW) Marte, PN3(SW AW) McFarlane, PNSN Cassie, LB(SW) Trammel, PN Richards and YN2(SW AW) Summersill. Missing: JO( (SW AW) Big Mike Viola, VN1 Lucas, DM2(SW AW) Lacy, PN2 Ivey, YN2 Glenn, OS2(SW AW) Rich mond, PNSN Williams and PNSN Lspinoza. 120 CO Admin 121 § ■■■1 Admin J25 w mmmm m Medical ■mhm to Assist ' We do the right thing, and have fun doing it USS ' Eataan (JJJ2) 5) WeMcJ r4ovwr, L ouraae ana Commument 127 Laughter is the best medicine CAPT Newman HMlJay HM2(SW AW) Cross HM3(SW AW) Baker HM3(SW) Wallace LTJobanputra HM1(SW AW) Rossi HM2(SW AW) Dover HM3(SW AW) Wilson HN Vicente HMC(SW AW)Judson HM1(SW AW) Villamaria HM3(SW) Peele HM3 Cimental HN Cabrera LT Christian HM2 Jenkins HM3 Henley HM3 Carden HN Calasopa We cared for the wounded... Adrenaline flawing overtime as patient number one is carried in How many walking wounded? I don ' t know, but total patient count should be 10 Like a seamstress working with her sewing machine Every stitch perfectly placed Patient flow was smooth as silk Monthly toils executed As both the green and blue corpsman displayed their skills Each patient provided with expert attention Anxious stretcher bearers labored with smiles on their faces Quick movement vital Elevator operators ready and standing by Smooth transition to optimal care Operating rooms prepped Portable X-rays taken Interpreters times two on the scene ' Numbers become names Names become personalities Around-the-clock hospital care Bestowed upon our Afghanistan guest Soldiers of misfortune Now truly blessed Life is restored Wounded delivered Healed souls returned Actual war casualties witnessed Insensitive nature Blown away We passed our first real test Orchestrated Chaotic confusion Rumors flying all about American servicemen wounded by friendly fire Lines of communication removed without a doubt Condition OPSEC 1 set Dan Rather reports 21 wounded in the city of Kandahar Levels of anticipation increased Physicians in conference discussing plans of action Gather up supplies just like we rehearsed, to say the least Anxiety high Positions everybody -- this is for real Timc.ho w much time have we got? The waiting game begins One, four, or more hours pass Chopper inbound Amber lights glow Beads of sweat trickle down tired faces Thump, thump, thump Reverberating As downward air is whisked across the stern Helo on deck Pulse quickening Combat Cargo scatters Carrying litters to safety Places, Places everyone MAA ' s don ' t forget to check for weapons HMlfay V ' ' , L jl. m Wm fl B ir 9 A 1 Js [32 I m CDR Smullen LT Munoz HMl(SW) McCarthy HM2(SW AW) Waters LCDR Sabra LT Norris HMl(SW AW)Killian HM2(SW) Thayer LCDR Hilbert LT Bassett HMl(SW AW)Anglin HM3(SW AW) Marcell LT Alexander HMC(SW) Owens HM2 Pruett HNDelaJaiUe Navigation The Navigation Department, comprised of the Quartermaster and Signalman ratings, is the primary source of information for planning and executing ship and task group movements. The Quartermasters are responsible for fixing the ship ' s position, recommending movement plans, and coordinating the movements of ships travelling in company. The Signalmen are responsible for visual communications between ships using flag hoist, flashing light and semaphore. Kneeling : QMSR Luna and QMSA Hernandez. Front Row: SM3 Rocha, SMSN Watts, QMSA Urbanec, SMSA Porter, QM2(SW) Heinrich and SM2 Phillips. Standing : QMCM(SWVAW) James Davis, SMCS Koshig, QM2(SW) Pardal, OSC Cataldo, QM3 Locke, SM3 Cotto Torres, QMSN Armstrong, SMl(SW) Mosley, QMl(SW) Birnbaum, SM2(SW) Smith, LTJG Gonzales and LCDR Apgar Jr. Not pictured: ENS Brown. I f ! V Operations Department is committed to the constant pursuit of operational excellence through efficient and effective air and surface mission planning, execution and support in the areas of meteorology, intelligence and cryptology. I m AG2(AW SW) Michael, AG1 Stratton, AG1(AW SW) Hawkins, AGAA Crisafulli, AG3 (AW) Tullock, AGC(AW) Okoniewski, LT Sanabia, AG3 Getts, AG2(AW SW) Weible, AG2 (AW) Roberson, AGAA Lindbom and AG3 Stone 142 m Major Faircloth, LCDR Devereux, ACCS(AW SW) Williams, AC1(AW SW) Knudsen, ACl(AW) Kanning, AC1(AW SW) Williams, AC2(AW) Valli, AC2(AW SW) Selby, AC2(AW) Cook, AC2 Davis, AC2(AW) Adebiyi AC2 Torbert, AC3 Tredway, AC3 Hoyt, ACAN(AW SW) Delarosa, ACAN Perez, ACAN Anton and ACAN Carroll. . L jl ' J|JP  • H B I - p5v ' -Alt tB i lb Li 1 J L - Mi h ' L ' ' ■f W 1 1 . m, 3 J JUL 147 Kneeling: 0S3 Ellison, OS2 Hoffman, OS3(SW AW) Gilbert, OS2(SW AW) Cruz, OSSN Fleetwoon, OS3 Sewell and OS2(SW AW)Starks. Standing: OSC(SW AW) Hand, OSSN Rodriquez, OSSN(SW) Sullivan, OSSN House, OS2(SW) Sims, OSSN Chavez, OSSN English, OS3(SW AW) Peralta, OSSN Nagel, OS3 Gemma, OSl(SW) Jacobs, OS2(SW) Gonzalez, OS3 Gehron, OS2(SW) Bisciaio, OS2(SW AW) Clay, OS2(SW AW) Cutts, LTJG Rule, OS2(SW AW) Golston, and LT Murphy, 148 1 V 1 £SflE v 1 1 : Kneeling: CTR1(SW AW) Vaughn, CTR1(SW AW) Jackson, CTR1(SW AW) Swanstrom, CTRC(SVV) Bruno, LT Dinh, CTRl(SW) Church and EWl(SW) Miller. Standing: CT02(SW AW) Bach, CTM2(SW AW) Randolph, CTOSN Askew, CTR2(SW AW) Pennington, EW2 Sanchez, CTR3 Johnston, CTT2 Mathews, EVVSN Kielholz, CT02(SW) Hales, CTRSN Curry, CTR2 Kidd, CTR2 Stark, CTR3 Smith, EWSN Leblanc, CT03 Reinhardt and EW2 Methvin. J 52 J k ? . Kneeling: IS1 Logan, ISSN Freels, IS2 Kohm, PHAN Chiles, ISSN Dix and IS3 Gray. Standing: LCDR Rodriguez, LT Motter, ISl(SVWAW) Wise, IS3 Rayner, IS 3 Franklin, IS2 Myers, IS3(SW) Marez, IS3(SW) Scott, PH2(AW SW) Staten, IS 3 Taylor, PH3(AW) Taucher, IS3 Flohrschultz, IS3 Snead and ISC(SW) Whittder. Not pictured: PHC(AW) Vernon, PH2(AW) Lee, PHAN(AW) Tilbury Safety MWR I Safety We are responsible for the safety of the crew. When we have riders aboard we give them a safety brief which covers the basics of shipboard safety. We provide safety observers for the flight deck during flight quarters and the Well Deck during Condition 1A. We also investigate all safety mishaps and track weekly injuries reported to medical. MWR We provide various recreational gear for the crew including PS1, PS2, N64 Gameboy advance consoles and games. We also have board games, various athletic gear and VHS movies. We take care of the gym and also provide the gear and prizes for Big Bucks Bingo. In addition, we help set up the beer tents when the ship has Beer on the Pier and purchase the beer and sodas that are sold. L USS BATAAN ( :S(AW ) Madsen, AOl(AW) Orr, AS1(AW SW) Moreira, BM2(SW) Robinson, ABH2(AW SW) Williams, [1(SW AW)( idyandLTSipes. J60 H I I Security On the Bataan the Master-at-Arms have many duties and functions, the primary mission is to maintain good order and discipline, law enforcement and physical security duties. The MAAs enforce appropriate orders and regulations, make apprehensions, conduct investigations and prepare required records and reports. Along with the above mission goals, the Bataan Security Department was hand selected by the Commander Central Command to pro ide safe keeping facilities for battlefield detainees. The MAA ' s flew into theater, assumed custody, escorted back to the Bataan, processed into the brig and prepared for further transfer, nine Al-Queda Taliban detainees. A task that has never been accomplished on board a U.S. Navy ship. From everyday routine patrols to special evolutions the MAA ' s are always there ready for action. They have been involved j in numerous VIP isits of 70 Egyptian dignitaries, the President of Afghanistan and his advisors, the Prince Sultan United Arab Emirates, as well as the USO tour with Drew Carey and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The BAT Security Department has proven its ability to quickly adapt to each situation and perform all missions flawlessly wit complete professionalism. Kneeling: FN(SW) Cooper, AT3( AW) Howell, DC2(SW AW) Boggs, AG2(AW) Topping, CT02(SW AW) Shire) , MS3 Washington and IC2(SW AW)Cohn. -T standing: I TJG Lucka, MA1(SW AW) Montayne, MAl(SW) Sargent, MA2(SW) Rivera, ET3(SW) Hunt, MASN Courtney,; V Mc Neely, MA3 Raia, IA1(SW AW) Thomas, MAl(SW) Wagner and MACS(SW AW)Partin. 162 . ' , ' lHf f r F ■III I mm Hi ;ft III L ' l 1J ' K T toJ ■I r- , J64 Supply Department is responsible for all logistics and services support of BATAAN. We have two mai] areas of supply: Readiness, which manages the ships budget, spare parts, aviation support, and hazardous materials; and Services, which includes food sendee, ship services, wardroom operations, disbursing, anc postal. Supply plays a major role in maintaining a high level of crew morale, from serving excellent mes in the crew ' s mess, CPO mess, and wardroom to running the ships laundry, barber shops, vending machine and ships store. SKCM(SW AW)MedaIla, SK2(SW) Dunkley, SK2(SW AW) Banks, SK3(SW AW) Guevara, LTKutney, SK1(SW tf Braganza, AK2(AW SW ) alencia, SK2(SW AW) Hall and and SKC(SW AW) Cox. Not Pictured. SKI Taylor. 169 ■ISC !(S V A Y)McIhvain MS1(SW AW) Davis MSl(SWAW) Smith MS2Burtis MSiRaspperry MS3 Eisenbiess IS 5 Graham ISSR Smith MSC(SW AW)McCkry MSI Goodson MSl(SW) Jones MSl(SW) Robinson MSI Roberts MSl(SW) Winters MS2 Perry MS2(SW) Inserra MS2 Brown MS2 Walton MS3Kephart MS3McMillian MS3 Roberts MS3Hoyte MS3Webb MS3 Butler MS3 Stevenson MS3 Bower MSSN Godwin MSSABasney MSSA Wagner MSSR Aguayo tfp rr -,v ., f— - 170 ENS McGowan SHC(SW AW) Chapdelaine SHl(SW) Ritchie SHl(SW AW)Cosme SHHSW AW) Marshall SH1(SW AW) Brooks SH2(SW)Ford SH2(SW) Mason SH2(SW) Lackey SH3(SW) Williams SH3 Myers SH3(SW) Fierro SH3 Seymour SH3 Godinez SHSA Thompson SHSA Stubbs SHSRBridgeforth H :A 91 y •1 Ml m nB m BL I ■m wrf y ™ H KltHtttlttBlMMIIUIl 177 r — — — - — - HR — M - • e 1 • • piHHBnnsnsgnaBinBepnpnBH ENS Peletonen AK1 Baker AK2 Noray AK2 Dyer AK2 Haney AK2 Wallace A K 3 Harder AK3 McCloy AKAA Saul AKAA Lago AKIWyatt AK2 Carlson AK3 Lee AKANCarcelen AK2Wilborn AK2 Charity AK3 Davis AKAAAbrego No rain, sleet, snow, hail nor mortor fire will make your packages get here faster r • • r =ront Row: SK3(SW) Williams, SK3(SW) Carter, SK3(SW AW) Cole, SK3 Squire, and SK3 Spaulding Back Row: LTJG Bowmer, SK2 Bastian, SKSN Christman, SKl(SW) Adams and AKC(AW SW) Grandelis. L u, Training Training Department is responsible for the operation and administration of the B ATAAN ' s training program. Along witr training the crew, departmental personnel supervise the implementation and administration of the Personnel Qualificatior Standards Program and Bataan ' s Educational Services Program. Additionally, Training coordinates and schedules trait services and facilities for ship-wide use, maintains the Integrated Battle Force Training Website, and supervises and manage external training report preparations. Assault Craft Unit FOUR, Detachment Bravo, its three Landing Craft Air Cushions (numbers 89, 77, 37), craft crew, maintenance crew and Administrative Officer were embarked aboard USS BATAAN throughout Operation Enduring Freedom. Their high-speed amphibious LCACs transported the weapons, equipment, cargo and troops assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) from ship to shore and across the beach. The Unit ' s LCACs are capable of operating from every well deck-configured amphibious ship which allows military units access to more than 70 percent of the world ' s coastline. These extremely maneuverable, long-range vehicles can travel at speeds of 50 knots with a 60-ton payload. OSl(SW) Barnes GSM3(SW AW) Quentin GSMC(SW AW) Stockdale GSM1(SW AW) Bolanowski GSE2(SW AW) Jimenez SKl(SW AW)Tarpley BM2 (SW) Buchanan FN(SW AW)Kim BM2(SW)Thornley QM1 (SW) Buckingham GSEC(SW AW) Luther DCC(SW AW)Tinch ET1(SW AW) Chapman LT Manglona HT2(SW) Tulip GSMFN Dehaven GSM3(SW)Mcpike GSM2(SW) Walker HT3 Estill HT3 Miller GSM2(SW AW) Wilson GSMl(SW AW)Fuchs YNl(SW AW)Murach GSMl(SW AW)Gilay Q ll(SW AWO vsinski HT3 Harper FN(SW) Penninger GSMl(SW)Hedrick GSEC(SW AW) Ronquillo HT1(SW AW) Henry HT3(SW)Salas J 92 I r BUU-2 rBeachmaster Unit TWO, Detachment Bravo provides command, control, communications and salvage support to facilitate the over-the-beach landing of troops, equipment, vehicles and supplies. Beachmasters control the offload from the three-fathom curve to the high-water mark upon which further direction is turned over to the Marine Landing Force ' s shore party. The Detachment consists of beach equipment and 22 personnel embarked throughout the BATAANAmphibious Ready Group aboard USS BATAAN (LHD 5), USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) and USS ' SHREVEPORT (LPD 12). I I 197 ■jlosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Detachment 18 ' s mission is to eliminate hazards from ordnance which jeoparc operations conducted in support of the national military strategy. Detachment 18 personnel are trained to deal with ; reus of ordnance from small arms ammunition or hand grenades, to weapons of mass destruction to include thermc luclear and chemical biological weapons. The embarked EOD team included qualified divers and parachutists who ' [so qualified in rappelliilg, fast-roping, SPIE, small-arms and small-unit tact PHIBRON E pcduK,nar y l™t command elemen tomet™ SSLT J hthedesignatedMX doing this, bod, staffs create a coS r£SSSdTr,r Jfc T and the M ™ £ C  P S - « Expedition Unit, prepared for deployment together ' P SpKai ° perat ' ° nS Ca P abfe M ™ P ' pWbfousReadyGroupsarcaseh-sustairung.forwarddeDfovedforcetharliq „villt JB , an direct to accomplish a variety of maritime and S neri a l nnm „ ?u edRe  ° Comman K contentions Iandingcraft (LCU), alrTsSn Mn rrrr S1 T k llKSe may be a -™P ed using a-ansupportforLchLuLant hehcopters. Todefend themselves from hostile force. ,1 «W rlTeP Sup ° C ' llll)H « ll 7 n (m.)launchersanddosedn LHAorLHDaJsok.sextensivesatemtecom unicatafcS for direction offerees ashore. ™™ntcanon s tacUities tor worldw.de communications and command and control E ™r rir ■rp,(sw) f - -  -. . Uiddle Row IS1(SW) Maw.OSKSW) Couch ( , , T o fc - % ' 1 P rsflj A yp; ' a. , M-. - no I Jfl Ar 1 0 my 1 s-- ' k 4 H 3 _k_..JL_. 205 S5S Sar Det HC-6 Detachment One The primary mission of HC-6 Detachment One is to provide day and night helicopter amphibious Search and Rescue support for air operations for the assigned USMC Air Combat Element, with particular emphasis on night SAR. Secondary missions may include logistics support, personnel transfers, and special operations missions which fall within aircrew qualifications and the squadron Required Operational Capability and Projected Operational Environment. Vision: The U.S. Navy ' s Search and Rescue motto is: So others may live. This detachment shall strive, in its every endeavor, to live up to that motto. Likewise, this Detachment ' s leadership, at every level, shall ensure this motto is the focal point of all training. We shall be prepared to conduct our mission 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, safely and professionally. Back Row: AD3 Ginrich, A03 Lucero , AD3 Latirmer, AMI Morris, AD3 Walker, AE1 Forsberg, AE2 Powell, PRAN Todd and LT Brown. Middle Row: AD3 Docrr, AT2 Nord, AMI Marek, AN Spivey, AM3 Madera, AD3 Holloway AE2 Kleinow, AM3 Hutchinson, LTJG Mazzei, LTJG Walgren and LT ST. Louis. Front Row: AD1 King, AD2 Hand, AD2 Ward, AEC Corum, AK3 Barnes, AK1 Lewis, CW04 Kubik, LTZaletski, IT Kriegerand I CDR Kropp. 206 SEAL Team 8 Naval Special Warfare is an echelon III command responsible for the operational and or administrative control of seven componet commands conducting special operations mission. During this deployment the team provided liaison between Commander Task Force 61 62 and Commander Task Group 68.6 in support of operational missions. LTJG lefford, GMC Barnett, ET3 Raffel and IT1 Stolebarger. 210 TACRON Tactical Air Control Squadron TWENTY-ONE is based on the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. As the Amphibious Squadron Commander ' s Air Operations staff, the TACRON is involved in every aspect of amphibious air operations. TACRON plays a critical role in controlling and coordinating close-air support to forces ashore, air defense of the Amphibious Task Force, ship-to-shore troop movement and air borne medical evacuations. TACRON was involved in the operational planning for the Amphibious Task Force and was responsible for airspace management and control, as well as general coordination of operations in High-Density Air Control Zones (HIDACZ) and other assigned airspace. Additionally, TACRON coordinated requirements for non-organic naval and joint air assets to support amphibious operations. ■-«1 V s w ' r ,1 i N V L SAW J. a h W R ' r .; Ix : 4- Wr 3£ First Row: Major Wilkes, ITC(SW AW) Murdock, LCDR Correia, CDR Hood, LCDR Ross, ACC(AW SW) McCluskey and LCDR Blazer. Second Row: OSl(SW AW) Waters, AC3(AW) Miller, AC1(AW SW) Jackson, ACAN Camacho, MS3 Villagomez, AC3(AW) Lorio and YN2(SW AW) HoUand. Third Row: AC2 (AW) Harris, IS3(SW) WiUiams, IT1(SW AW) Gorham, AC3(AW) Rodriguez, AC1(AW SW) Enoch, AC2(AW) McLaughhn and ACAN Neely. 212 At Sea On the beach I In the air II Glory Gator Supports Commissioned September 20, 1997, USS BATAAN (LHD 5) is the fifth ship christened into the WASP (LHD 1 ) class and serves as the flagship of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). BATAAN is the second U. S. Navy ship to bear the name BATAAN, following a Light Aircraft Carrier USS BATAAN CVL 29 which served in the Pacific theater during WWII and again during the Korean Conflict. BATAAN, with its complement of 1 ,200 Sailors, is the first U. S. Navy surface combatant ship fitted to accommodate a mixed-gender crew. Fully loaded, BATAAN weighs in at 40.500 tons and is powered by two geared turbines and two shafts capable of producing 70,000 horsepower to drive the ship in access of 25 knots. As a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship. BATAAN ' s primary mission is to enable the Navy-Marine Corps Team to accomplish a seamless transition from the sea to the land battle, primarily as the centerpiece of an ARG. During Operation Enduring Freedom, BATAAN ' s ARG, Commanded by Commodore Kenneth Rome Commander of Amphibious Squadron EIGHT, consisted of USS BATAAN (LHD 5), USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41), and the 26 th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). As Flagship for the ARG, BATAAN hosted a myriad of support elements to include the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Detachment 18; Fleet Information Warfare Center representatives; SEAL Team EIGHT; and Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. Accompanying the crew were units assigned in support of the LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicle) operations: Naval Beach Group TWO, Assault Craft Unit FOUR and Bcachmaster Unit TWO. On the aviation side was Marine Medium Light Helicopter Squadron 365, with its complement of six AV8 Harriers (Jump Jets), four CH-53E Sea Stallions, two UH-I Hueys, four AH-1 Cobras, and 12 CH-46D Sea Knights. In control of the ARG ' s air space was the staff from Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, along with the pilots and crewmen from Helicopter Support Squadron SIX (HC-6) assigned to BATAAN ' s Search Air Rescue unit. 2J6 itf-IK-m A BATAANs medical facilities, second only in size and capability to those aboard U S. Navy hospital ships, were fully utilized by BATAAN Sailors and Marines from the 26 th MEU(SOC) during the deployment. Its six fully-equipped operating rooms, hospital wards and the intensive care facilities were continually at the ready. The ship ' s four dental suites, medical laboratories and hospital facilities, capable of caring for up to six-hundred patients, provided routine care to 3,200 crewmembers and embarked troops. Doctors and Hospital Corpsmen from the Fleet Surgical Team FOUR embarked BATAAN to augment the ship ' s medical team during the deployment. On 6 December 2001, nine Northern Alliance casualties were received from Camp Rhino, south of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Treatment of the casualties involved 29 surgical procedures that took more than 60 hours and five days of intensive post-operative care. Six of the casualties were transferred for further care and two were returned to Kandahar. As the ARG Flagship, the Amphibious Task Force Commander, Commodore Rome; and Landing Force Commander, Marine Colonel Andy Frick fully utilized the ship ' s Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) system capabilities. The 844- ' foot-long amphibious assault ship ' s flight deck saw very few no-fly days as both Navy and Marine Coips pilots and crewmen worked the flight deck at all hours of the day and night, conducting SAR (Search and Rescue), surveillance, reconnaissance and bombing missions. While maintenance and aircraft handlers below decks used the ship ' s two. 50- by 47- foot 75,000-pound capacity deck-edge aircraft elevators to bring the helos and Harriers down to the Hangar Bay where scheduled, unscheduled maintenance and periodic checks were performed. fie: The: 3ied!o BATAAN ' s well deck is 13,600 feet at the ship ' s stern and 267 feet long and 50 feet wide. By design, it simultaneously accommodates three LCACs or two conventional landing craft It can ballast more than 1 5,000 tons of sea water to allow craft to tloat in and out, or troops and their cargo can be flown out of a dry well deck aboard the LCACs. The over-the-horizon ability of the LCAC to provide high speed, ship-to-shore and ii] c sbi| s Jv in size .;■illy-equip -ffitaciln fetal suite ingfij care to 3J Operation Enduring Freedom over-the-beach amphibious support in transporting troops, weapons systems and equipment offered the Navy-Marine Corps Team and our allies a new dimension in projecting combat strength ashore. These Wasp-Class ships are the first specifically designed to utilize the Landing Craft Air-Cushioned vehicles for assaults. BATAAN ' s three high-speed heavy-lift craft, capable of carrying a 60-ton cargo from ship to shore at speeds in excess of 40 knots, were the first on shore in Pakistan. The lore Rome; ad .tf.Fncki nmonicaW ; : ne . The844- LCAC ' s cushion of pressurized air enabled it to deliver the MEU(SOC) and its heavy equipment well ashore, unaffected by shallow obstacles and surf conditions, clearing water and land obstacles as high as four feet. At 87-plus feet in length and 47 feet wide, each LCAC employs a crew of five who piloted the crafts, operated the four gas-turbine engines, and assisted in loading and unloading its 67- by 27-foot cargo area. The heavy equipment, military vehicles, and other support equipment brought to the beach by the MEU(SOC) - was tightly compressed within the ship ' s 22,000 square-feet of vehicle space and 100,000 cubic feet of cargo space. As a , team, the ship and embarked MEU(SOC) insert forces ashore via helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles along with tanks, light amphibious vehicles, military and logistical vehicles, artillery, ammunition, and other supplies necessary to fully support the amphibious assault and maintain support to troops ashore for several weeks. The Assault Division operated and maintained the system that synchronized the simultaneous horizontal and vertical movement heavy equipment to and from the LC ACs. Six 1 2,000- pound-capacity-cargo elevators and monorail system employing 1 2,900 feet of track was positioned directly over the ship ' s vehicle storage and well deck to facilitate the ease of movement for loading and unloading the craft. Five 32-foot 6,000-pound capacity cargo monorail trains, traveling at speeds up to 600 feet per minute, were instrumental in loading the LCACs for the beach assault. From the ship ' s command centers and sophisticated command and control sites, the ARG and MEU(SOC) commanders coordinated task force landings and force operations as the missions unfolded. BATAAN ' s numerous air, surface, and fire-control radar painted a three-dimensional picture of the operational theater in excess of 200 miles, giving them a significant advantage during combat. While the mission goes on ashore, the BATAAN and crew work in confidence as the weapons systems in place on the ship are geared for its defense and that of its crew from anti-ship weapons fired from enemy aircraft, surface ships and land bases. These systems include the NATO Sea Sparrow point defense missile system, the rolling airframe missile system, and the Phalanx close-in weapons system. On the ship ' s catwalks are four 50- caliber machine guns and three 25-milimeter machine guns as protection against smaller craft and other more precise targets. Together BATAAN and the 26 ,h MEU(SOC) answered the call and projected its formidable arsenal ashore in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. . . . No ship bears a more illustrious name. The V.S.S. BATAAN commemorates a campaign that ha become a symbol of the fortitude and endurance of free men in the face of overwhelming odds. It has rendezvous with destiny that shall not be denied. . . Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL 29) Although the keel that was laid August 31, 1942 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, N.J., was originally intended to be the light cruiser U.S.S. BUFFALO, the Navy changed its plans when the war in the Pacific esca- lated. The ship ' s blueprints were altered to meet the require- ments for an additional aircraft carrier that was needed in the areana. Work on the light carrier U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29) was completed in record time, and the ship was launched in Camden, on August 1, 1943. The Maid of Honor was Miss Maria Osmena, daugh- ter of Honorable Sergio Osmena, then Vice President of the Philippine Commonwealth; and ship ' s Sponsor was Mrs. George Murray, wife of Rear Admiral George D. Murray com- missioned the ship in Philadelphia on November 17, 1943. BATAAN reported to Pearl Harbor on March 22, 1944, but weighed anchor on April 4 for the Pacific where it joined Task Force 58 and later Task Force 38. Commanding this great warship was Captain Valen- tine H. Schaeffer, with Commander W. A. Deam assigned as its Executive Officer. Throughout its deployment to the Pa- cific, BATAAN held two change of command ceremonies. Captain J. P. Heath relieved Captain Schaeffer and Captain W. C. Gilbert relieved Captain Heath. After Japan ' s surren- der on September 2, 1945, BATAAN returned briefly to the United States where it served as a transport for U S. troops that were homeward bound from European theaters. ■I On February 1 1, 1947 the ship was decommissioned only to be re-commissioned three years later and assigned duty during the Korean Conflict. Under the Command oi. Captain Edgar T Heale, BATAAN arrived in the Korean operations area on December 15, 1950 where it supported the conflict until May 10, 1953. Upon its final return from the Korean Conflict BATAAN remained in San Diego until being deactivated or August 26, 1953. On April 26, 1954, following a brief visit to Japan via Pearl Harbor, the ship was decommissioned ir San Francisco, and later reclassified as AVT-3, in June 1959 U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL 29) earned a total of V battle stars during World War II, participating in the BattL of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, and during the Koreai Conflict where it participated in the North Korean Offen sive and the First United Nations Counter Offensive. USS BATAAN] CVL 29 | |us Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. ' [fever an American fighting ship was charged with the twin responsibilities of a great tradition and ; great purpose it is this - USS BATAAN! John McCrae, poet-laureate of World War I, whose with steadfast eyes as it ploughs the waters o ' the worli inspired words are quoted, could not have written more leaving in its wake inexorable retribution, justice and lib poignant lines to sum up the spirit and high resolve of the eration as a tribute to the brave heroes. American and Fili officers and men of this ship, nor of the craftsmen who pino, who etched with their blood in the archives of his built it. nor of the government and people who gave it their tory a new symbol for glorious self-sacrifice - BATAAN blessing. This nation and all nations will watch it hereafter 218 t Her Majesty ' s Australian Ship HMAS BATAAN During World War II, the Australian heavy cruiser, HMAS CANBERRA was sunk along with American warships by the Japanese Task Force. With the loss of the Australian heavy cruiser, the United States government named their newest cruiser USS CANBERRA in honor of the heroic efforts of the Australians. The cruiser was christened by the wife of the Australian Minister to the United States. In return, the Australian government named their newest Tribal Class Destroyer BATAAN in honor of the gallant stand made by the Americans on Bataan Peninsula. The Austra- lian BATAAN was christened by Mrs. Jean MacArthur, wife of General Douglas MacArthur. Supreme Commander of the Southwest Pacific. Upon commissioning, HMAS BATAAN joined the American Seventh Fleet in the Philippines and Okinawa. HMAS BATAAN was present when the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo Bay, and stayed in the area where it picked up Americans and Filipinos who had been held in the POW camps by the Japanese since the early stages of the war. During the Korean Conflict, HMAS BATAAN was once again attached to the American Seventh Fleet. It was during this conflict that the American light aircraft carrier U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL 29) and the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS BATAAN built a unique kinship. The Australian ship provided protection for the American carrier, its sister ship, through many exchanges of enemy gunfire. The bond that developed between the crews aboard these two ships went well beyond their namesake ties and became evident to the other ships in the Task Force. : Comma ran Confj Designed by the crew, the seahorse represents BATAAN s natural association with the sea. The central path commemorates the Bataan Death March. The spears from a wedge underscoring amphibious assault and deployment of troops and cargo ashore, as well as combat readiness, while highlighting USS BATAANs battle stars. Bamboo alludes to the tropics and the Pacific theater where the first U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL 29) served. The wings represent the aviation heritage of the ship. The stars are for the seven battle stars earned during the Korean Conflict while the five points of the central star represent the World War II Battle stars. The mount suggests the mountainous terrain of Bataan. The sun is adapted from the seal of the Republic of the Philippines. The crossed swords represent the Navy-Marine Corps Team. 219 USS B ATA AN Honors Battling Bgi During World War II, U. S. forces under General Douglas Mac Arthur retreated to Bataan Peninsula, on Luzon Island in the Philippines, after Manila fell to Japanese forces. In April 1942, some 12,000 American and 64,000 Philippine soldiers surrendered to Japanese forces in Mariveles, a town on the Bataan Peninsula. It was the largest surrender of U. S. forces in his- tory. Some Americans retreated further to Corregidor, an island off the southern end of the peninsula, hut they, too, surrendered in May 1942 after fierce resistance. The Japanese forced their U. S. and Philippine prisoners to march to north- ern Luzon under extremely desperate conditions; some 10,000 died and the march earned notoriety as the Bataan Death March. In February 1945, U. S. forces re-conquered Bataan. Today, the area of the Peninsula overlooking Manila Bay to the East is a Philippine national shrine. (Front: The Facts on File Encyclopedia of the 20th Century.) Sgt. J. S. Gray, US. Army Air Corps Bataan Death March Survivor If you have read the history of the Bataan Death March, you may already know of some of what the Battling Bastards of Bataan went through. You will know because historians have recorded it - but no one except for those who lived it can ever imagine the continuous chain of horror that they lived through. Still with us today are those who wal ked the seemingly endless march to disease-laden camps, only to be packed like human sardines in railroad cars then crammed inside dark cargo holds to be shipped to yet another prison camp. Most will tell you their story; others will tell you only what they think you should hear.. .or can handle. When they finish, I can promise you that you will never forget it. This year marks the 60th anniversary of their walk into living hell. This ship, their ship, and crew pays tribute to the them with the following true-life story of one of these survivors. Although just one man, his story is not unique. 1 lis story played out the same for thousands of those who walked the miles with him. It is not possible to list them all here, but il is lining that his story be told because it accurately reflects the story of Camp Donru ' ll c.- n.is ON FOOT I : — i - Hermosa OianiC ON FOOT .. BATAAN PENINSULA Marivetos San Fornando . us com . j they « :Philipp ineverb E Ml) OManil.i Cabcaben . kp so many others. This is the story of J. S. Gray, a survivor. Thi: year he will celebrate his 83 rd birthday with his wife, Alyne, at hi; home in Baton Rouge. Seven years ago, he told a newspape reporter Jeannie Smith about his ordeal. The following art ' excerpts of that story. Back in 1939 I would think that a 20-year-old who stoo 6 ' 2 and weighing in at 202 pounds would be considerec formidable, but that was not the case with J.S. He considerec himself a farm boy who was bored and wanted to get out fron behind the plow. He wanted to go somewhere other than up ant down the same rows of the same field. His decision to get of the farm and get out of Jonesville, La., brought him to the door of the nearest recruiting station. Gray and a friend hitched a rid to Barksdale Air Field and enlisted in what was then the Army Air Corps. By the end of the two-year mark, Gray was a corporal 1 thought this was a pretty good place to be, he admitted I got a $5-a-month raise. It was $21 a month when 1 starte out. I made an allotment to Mama for S5 each month, and tha went to her all through the war, Gray said, proudly. Gray ' s next assignment was as an Ordnanceman i Savannah, Ga., at Hunter Field. The accommodations were little less desirable. Gray and the men in his company lived i tents. In those days, we handled amis, ammunition, bomb and all of that for all of the airplanes, Gray explained. We di the synchronizing for all of the guns and planes. The company underwent extensive training, whic lasted until the Fall of 1941 shortly before the bombing c 220 , kards of Bataan ' s 60th Anniversary Pearl Harbor. Although it had gone undetected, or ignored, oy the enlisted men, the mood among the officers was changing. Even when it was announced that some 300 men were being added and that the Ordnance Company Was being divided into three separate companies, no one Found it unusual. We didn ' t know what was taking place. It was all Greek to us, Gray said. We were still having a good time. We weren ' t worried about the war - it was only in Europe hen. In the midst of training, Gray ' s company received notice ;hat they were being moved to he Philippines. To Gray, who lad never been out of the United States and hardly across the Mississippi River, this was the quintessence of the life of the vorldly enlisted man. They left Savannah in style - aboard the SS Calvin Coolidge, :i cruise boat. I had a stateroom ill to myself, admitted the Recently promoted Sergeant. But there was another lign that something was remiss - Talfway from Hawaii to the Philippines, the sister ships that vere following with the ordnance :ompany ' s airplanes suddenly urned around. We were on deck me day and saw them all turn outh, Gray :xplained. We didn ' t know what was happening. We started traveling in a zigzag motion, and it vas all-lights-out at night. Something was up. Every me of us had a loaded .45 on our hip, but we didn ' t ;now what was going on. On Thanksgiving Day 1 94 1 , just 17 days before he bombing of Pearl Harbor, they landed on the ' hilippine Islands at Luzon. When we got there, we would go to Manila at light, to the honky-tonks and dance - but we still had a 45 on our hips. One night something happened that made Gray nd everyone else in his company understand. We were out on the town one Saturday night, and he MPs suddenly came in and said, ' Every soldier- head for our barracks! The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor! ' Man, we all headed for the barracks. When we ;ot there, some of the men didn ' t even know what was iappening. It took a couple of hours for everyone to be cow He com oudI - wake up, and then the officers had to get their orders. By daylight, we had loaded up all of the bombs and small-arm ammunition at Douglas Field. Although their actions were timely - it was still too little, too late. By the time they arrived at Clark Field it was under attack and everything that could fly was being destroyed. Gray ' s company headed back to Nichols Field in Manila, away from flying shrapnel as the Philippine Islands came under heavy attack by Japanese forces. Despite the fact that enlisted men viewed the attack on the Island as sudden. their superiors had anticipated it. Author E. Bartlett Kerr explained in his book, Surrender and Survival: The Experience of the American POWs in the Pacific 1941- 1945, that the American military had prepared long and hard for a Japanese attack. The American plan for defending the Philippines was called War Plan Orange-3 (orange was a color code for Japan; other potential enemies were assigned other colors). Officials stated in the plan that they anticipated a Japanese attack on Luzon, which was the principal island of the Philippine group. Luzon was important because it provided a base from which Japanese forces could seize the port city of Manila, which had a modern, strategically located harbor. The U. S. Plan recognized the superior military prowess of the Japanese forces. Part of the strategy called for abandoning Manila to the enemy and then withdrawing to lines on the Bataan Peninsula, an area dominated by jungles and mountains on the West Side of Manila Bay. The American troops on Bataan would provide land protection to nearby Corregidor and the three other heavily fortified islands whose guns protected the sea approaches to Manila Bay. The plan called for Bataan and Corregidor to be defended to the last extremity. Ideally, this would buy enough time to send an American fleet to steam out of Pearl Harbor, meet and defeat the Japanese fleet, and then proceed to the relief of the Philippine defense forces. It sounded good in theory, but it was a plan that few officers - if any - believed in. The salient fact ignored by the plan was that there simply were not sufficient troops and equipment to defend the Philippines for more than six months. Perhaps no one knew this better than the troops holed up in the Bataan jungle, waiting for the bombing to stop. After a week passed, they received grim orders. Gray and his company 221 of Ordnancemen were to continue their service as infantrymen. With that, they were sent to the front. Within 24 hours, Japanese forces made a land invasion of the Philippines. From that point, any semblance of order disintegrated. It was mass pandemonium. No one knew what to do or how to do it. ..or anything else, admitted Gray. We would go back and forth to the front, through the lines, sometimes behind the lines, and then we ' d have to fight our way out. There were approximately 1 2.000 Americans and 64,000 Filipinos fighting in the area. Japanese General Masaharu Homma was effectively driving them into the southernmost tip of the peninsula, and pushing their backs into the sea. After fighting in the jungle for two weeks, their rations were cut in half. Two weeks later, rations were halved again. And, two weeks later, they were halved again. After that, they began eating whatever they could find in the jungle - iguanas, monkeys, and a rice paddy here and there. We went on like that for a while, recalled Gray. Then we started losing weight. We were past scared. We had eaten all of the horses, the mules and the dogs. Then there was the daily rumor.. .The Americans are on their way. Their boat just landed. Just hold out. Hold out. March 11th brought the final blow. Under presidential orders, General Douglas McArthur left Corregidor for Australia. Despite the fact that he issued his famous, I shall return, the American troops lost their last sliver of hope. Things went from bad to worse. Thousands of men had dysentery or malaria and nothing to eat. The hospitals were full. As long as a man could walk, he went back to the front to fight. This was our last stand. We fought until we couldn ' t do anything more, remembered Gray. We kept moving back, moving back and finally, we were at the sea. We were backed up at the sea. Gray was asked to gather the ordnance ' s ammunition. He set it up in dumps and blew them up the day before they surrendered. It was the final punctuation of a bitter string of events. On April 9, 1942, the men marched up to the battle line to surrender. There were six Japanese soldiers lined up across the road. There was jungle on one side, water on the other. They searched us and took everything they could get off us, said Gray. The ones in the front of the line passed word back to us that they were even taking dog tags, so I pulled up the innersole of my shoes and put a dog tag under each innersole. 222 odI) i La ' . somen i aibled o Gra emenw ■pane: ■That ' s the only thing that I went to the Philippines wit that 1 got back to the States with. According to Billy Keith in Days of Anguish, Day of Hope, Japanese intelligence had originally calculated tha there would be 20,000 prisoners instead of the 80,000 tota they captured. The guards were frantic as they tried to herd thousands of men into groups of 300. There was nothing to do but to try to march them into camps as soor as possible. For some, the march would last for weeks. With dog tags in place. Gray started the infamou: Bataan Death March. You could look at Corregidor sitting right out there in the bay, he remembered. As soon as they ' c fire at Corregidor, a scout on Corregidor would pick up tha flash of the gun and there would comt 16 inches (of projectile) back at us. It wouk sound like a train coming through there Imagine what a 16-inch projectile tumblim in the air sounds like. There would bt somebody who would get killed and we couldn ' t go see about them. No one knows the exact number o: soldiers on the march. It is estimated tha there were 64,000 or 65,000 marchersi Likewise, the number of survivors i indeterminable. There were thousands o ' us. The line was miles long. There wen guards on each side of us about every 1( yards, and each one had his bayonet on th gun. If you picked up anybody to help hin walk, they would snatch him up and take hin out of the line and kill him right there in fron of you. That was going on all the time. Th Filipinos would try to throw us food and the would kill every single one of them. And it was hot. In an interview published in Donali Knox ' s Death March, Pvt. Leon Beck described the hea in these terms: ...the weather was hot, hot, hot. Th sun comes up hot, and it goes down hot, and it stays ho all night long. It was just plain hell hot, the humidity wa ' high, and the dust was everywhere, trucks movin, alongside, raising more dust and confusion. There were no restrooms and no one was allowe ' to stop. The human waste on the road mingled with th blood from the feet of the many barefoot marchers Dysentery was rampant. We were filthy dirty. With mes all over us and walking through it, Gray remembered. Th further you got on the walk, the more Americans, Japanes and Filipinos you saw laying on the side of the road, dead. Gray was given a half-cup of water in a cantee each night along with a chlorine tablet to kill the germ: It tasted like chlorine, Gray grimaced. It was horrible. By the end of the first day, they had marched some 2 miles. After the fourth day, time began to lose meaning. Foo water and staying alive were the top priorities. Gra .-, Soi - to the .: in ii uleav i He ■t ' G i lake a ' So, •ft.TI ti in ] remembered sucking pebbles or a button from his shirt t 1 K ■Knethfi rregidor sitn ssoonaste secrete saliva tor water. At night, they would stop to rest I for only a few hours. In the book. Some Survived by Manny Lawton (his personal account of the march); the overnight stops were described as uneasy and tense ■at best. Though we were outdoors, the air was fouled by human waste in and around the open pit latrine. It seemed that throughout the night half the group was milling around in search of water or the latrine. Those who tried to sleep were constantly being stepped on or stumbled over. In the morning, many did not wake. Gray ' s first stop was at a narrow-gauge railroad. The men were to be transported to a prison camp several kilometers away. It was like a miniature railroad, explained Gray. The cars are about half the size of a -egular railroad. We were packed in there so tight that :he Japanese guards would have to get in the car and jush and push on the door until it slammed shut. The men were jammed in the cars, standing up. We ;ouldn ' t move. There were no restroom facilities on the :rain, said Gray. Somebody would say, ' I ' m sorry about ;hat. I couldn ' t control it. ' We stayed there for a couple of lours until they got us all loaded up, and then we rode 12 . dlometers to another place where they made us get off. Some smothered to death, he remembered. ' We got out of that car and the dead fell from all around 12. There - .: ou. They had died standing up. After the men were unloaded, they began their narch to the prison camp. Along the way Filipino ladies A ' ould try to throw the prisoners food, rice rolled up in banana leaves. And one by one, the guards shot them iown. They killed them, and the babies, on the side of he road. Gray said. On the death march.. .I ' d see one iuard take a baby out of a woman ' s arms and throw it to mother and he would catch it on his bayonet and throw it o another one. Gray ' s voice rasped with emotion. So, we marched into this camp. When we got here, there was one faucet for thousands of us. It was i stream about Vi-inch wide. There was a constant line ? or water. They ' d all get a little bit of water and then et back in line. Twenty-four-hours a day. By that time, most of the men were in rags. Few of hem had shoes. After a few days at the camp, Gray - whose )nce husky frame wasn ' t showing emaciation at the same ate of his fellow soldiers - was put on burial detail. For 24 tours. We ' d dig a hole five or six-feet deep and a guard vas right behind you, pushing the bodies off your shoulder ito the hold. Some of the people weren ' t dead. They ould say to me, ' Don ' t leave me here. Don ' t leave me ere. ' But you couldn ' t do anything about it. And then the ards would cover them up. They covered them up, alive. You couldn ' t stand up to them because you were utnumbered. They would have put a bayonet in us and pushed is in there. We were too weak to fight them hand-to-hand. At night, the men were given lugao to eat. It as something like cornstarch, Gray said. It tasted terrible. But you ' d have to get it down some way. Some of the boys couldn ' t do that. They ' d gag. The days and nights blended into an endless, severe course in survival. Eventually, the prisoners were loaded up again, this time they were headed for Cabanatuan. I have no idea how long we stayed at that camp, admitted Gray. Time was running on by. My main objective was to get something to eat. By then, the rainy season had started. Every day, rain poured down on the men. The graves in which they buried hundreds of bodies began slowly filling with water. At night, you would hear the dogs howling, barking and fighting, Gray said. And you ' d get up the next morning and you ' d find arms here, legs there, heads, and this and that here and yonder. And we ' d have to gather it up and bury it again. One night, three men sneaked out to trade with the Filipino people. On the way back in, they were caught. The following morning, the guards brought all of the prisoners out of the barracks and marched the three men before them. They lined the three men up and had them dig their own graves. Then they had to kneel down. Their hands were tied behind them. They leaned over the hole and ...sssslllllkkkkk. The guards cut their heads off, with a saber. Cruelty was an epidemic. Several days after the men were executed; Gray was on his way to draw water. He passed one of the guards who motioned him over. He had this (human) head fixed up with a grass rope tied around it and attached to a bamboo pole. He reached down, picked up the pole and put it on my shoulder and shouted, ' March. ' I had to march up and down the barracks with that head on my shoulders. The brains were coming out of it and going down my back. I still see it at night. I have dreams about it all night. The prisoners endured life at Cabanatuan for many weeks and then were marched through Manila to be loaded on a ship en route to Davado, on the Island of Mindanao. We got there and they put us in this camp that was like Angola. They raised potatoes, pumpkins, coffee, bananas, and avocados. If you were lucky and got a good guard, you could go on detail and they would let you go out in the fields and eat. It was during Gray ' s stay at Davado that 10 American officers made their famous escape. One Sunday morning the officers went out to the field under the pretenses of getting some extra detail duties completed. That night, they didn ' t return. The guards counted prisoners until the early hours of the morning, but they were still missing 1 0. Where were those 10 men? The officers escaped to the jungle and eventually made their way back to the United States. Their accounts - which they later published in a book about their escape - were the first hard evidence the Americans had of the horrific mistreatment of the prisoners of war. After their escape, the gates were closed and guards accompanied the prisoners at all times. While Gray was working on road detail, he developed dry beriberi. His feet and legs turned red and burned like hot charcoal 223 II briquettes. The disease steadily worsened. My skin looked like a balloon full of water, Gray said. He grew so weak he couldn ' t go out on detail anymore. His food intake was scaled back to half-rations. A Japanese doctor in the camp from UCLA Medical School had taken a particular interest in the prisoners. He had been forced to serve in the Japanese army while visiting his grandfather in Japan. When war broke out, officials there refused to let him go back to the U.S. His fluent English allowed him to communicate freely with the prisoners. He knew each of the 1,200 men by name. He was worried about Gray. He walked up to me one day and said, ' Gray, how are you doing? ' And I said, ' I don ' t think I ' m going to make it. ' He said that he ' d have the cooks pick me up and let me swat flies in the kitchen. I could just sit there all day and swat flies. With the Japanese officers thinking Gray served a purpose - to swat flies in close proximity to their food - the doctor thought his condition might improve. I sat there and the American cooks in the kitchen would walk by and put food in my mouth, Gray said. They ' d say, ' Gra ' , open your mouth, ' and then they ' d cram something in there. They couldn ' t be seen feeding me. Gray started getting better. Eventually, he was allowed to work as a rice cook in the kitchen. While they were at Davado, a Japanese officer approached a group of American prisoners one day and handed them an American flag. He said, ' This is your flag. We don ' t want to destroy it. We want you to destroy it. ' We couldn ' t. We saw them tear it down at Bataan when we surrendered. We didn ' t know what to do. We debated the issue and decided that we would cut the stars out - there were 48 then - and keep them and burn the rest of it. If we got caught, whoever got caught with them — off would come their head. That ' s the way it went. The men vowed to keep the stars together. Over the course of their imprisonment, they would shift the stars to different prisoners in order to avoid arousing suspicion. Someone always had the stars, and they were always kept together. In July 1944, the prisoners were moved back to Manila to board a ship for Japan. It was just a few days prior to Gray ' s birthday on July 14. On my birthday, I was sitting in the hold of this ship. It was hot as hell. There were hundreds of men jammed in the hold, sitting on the deck with their legs interlaced. The latrine consisted of five 1 -gallon buckets that spilled on the floor and the men. It was dark and damp and hot, said Gray. There was always somebody hollering or trying to cut their wrists. They went wild. Sometimes they would just lunge at each other and you ' d have to pull them off of one another. And then you ' d have to try to get them back to their senses. People who went crazy like that wouldn ' t last long afterwards. ..They ' d be dead in a few hours. 224 The bodies were left in the hold to rot for three, sometimes four days before they were taken out. The men spent 60 days in the hold of the ship. Night and day. We never left that hold Sixty days on the China Sea, Gray said. We even broke down out there - it was horrible. The ship finally arrived in Japan and the men were sent directly to Yokkaichi. Gray lived at the prison camp for six months. His number was 160. We were nothing. Everybody lost their names — everything. These was no identity. Gray was also a iho informs. One of the jatread: ' gj forma neet them L flew 0 ' uJ one il rtwgoi andt Noi iworry. H ' I shell of his once husky frame, having dropped from 202 pounds to 108. Only six months before the war ended, the prisoners were shipped to Toyama. It was approaching winter in Japan an many of the men were dressed in little more than g-strings from their days in the Philippines. They shared blankets and huddled together to retain body heat. While there. Gray was caught stealing rice. The guards, •; beat him until he passed out. Then, they tied him up and hung jsweres him from the rafters. I was tied so that my toes barely touched ;-«: the ground. I would stand on my toes to give my wrists a little} relief and then hang to give my feet a little relief. The guards kept a watchful eye on Gray. One evening, a sergeant came in for guard duty and sauntered over to the fireplace and stoked up the fire. Then he slowly pivoted and faced Gray I said to myself, ' He ' s about to burn me. ' And he did. He got the poker red hot, and he burned me under the arm, on my rib cage; across my arm, and on my back. I passed out when I got this on over here, he said, pointing to his wrist. When Gray was taken down, he was stuffed into a 4-foor by 5-foot cell. His 6-foot plus frame could not stretch out. Onct a day they ' d feed him a ball of rice and a half-cup of tea. While Gray tried to clean his burn wounds with the tea, guards woul walk by, break open his scabs and then laugh. I survived it, i; Gray ' s only comment on the ordeal. I am a survivor. Whenever Gray thought he was near death, he wouk hear his mother ' s voice, as clear as if she were next to him calling his name, JaaaayyySSSSsssss! I ' d hear Mama ' s voic and I ' d move a little, said Gray. It was jusj like she was right there. Misery was a way of life. Hope had Ion run out. In their traumatized state, th prisoners failed to notice that the number o guards at the camp had steadily dwindle We walked out one day and found all of th Japanese bowed down at the radio. That wa on August 18 ' (1945). It was then that w found out the war had been over for thre days. We hadn ' t even noticed that we ha only two guards there. A low-flying American aircraft dropped a note off to th men at the camp telling them to paint the letters P-O-W on th top of their camp building if they were prisoners. The men we back to the carbide plant to gather carbide ash, which resembl lime, and painted the letters on top of the camp with the as! Shortly after that, three American dive bombers flew over then leftthai 4 One of them dropped a note attached to a can of corned beef that read: If you need help, form a circle. We got out there i and formed a circle, Gray said. There were 200 of us. That 11 was a big day. The bombers flew back over us and told us to meet them on the beach. They brought medics and stuff. B- ;: 29s flew over us and dropped food clothes, medicine, you ' d 3e amazed how much. When the men saw the parachutes, they iiad one thought - We have some stars! There was one boy who had been working, patching the Japanese guards ' iniforms, said Gray. It took us a couple of days to make it, ; but we got to work on pulling those nylon parachutes apart, 1 ind we got a flag made up. We were all ready to put the stars m it... and broke the needle. No one had another needle, but Gray told the men not! :o worry. He told them that he would make a needle. I made i needle out of a piece of barbed wire. And that ' s what those 1 stars were sewn on that flag with. We flew that flag and there were some that were so choked up that they could hardly raise •heir hands to put over their hearts. There was many a tears ;hed there. .othefirepk I faced Ge did Hegotti on my rib cf enlaotthisoo ; dintoa4-fw retch out Ob ■[ survived $ . ere next to ho m. hwji j state, a: ' he number i found all of It t •radio. H ' Ai then that j over for to K -ed that we .-p-O-foo rsThemeow the dljj . S. Gray poses with U. S. Flag and POM Flag. Gray lives in Greenwell Springs, La., with his wife Alyne. Thomas A. Craigg Jr. Earns the Title It Can Not be Inherited Nor Can it Ever be Purchased. You or No One Alive Can Buy it for Any Price. It is Impossible to Rent and It Can Not be Lent. You Alone and our Own Have Earned It with Your Sweat, Blood and Lives. You Own it Forever. The Title United States Marine On September 1 7, 1940 at the age of 22, Thomas A. Craigg Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corps. After he completed boot camp ii San Diego, he volunteered for Asiatic duty and was assigned to 4th Marine Regiment. The so called China Marines wen responsible for guarding American interests in China, Guam, Wake and Midway Islands. When the war broke, Craigg s regimeni fell under the Army control, and he was sent to the Bataan Peninsula. When supplies ran out for the thousands of American Philippine and volunteering forces, Craigg was swept away in the sea of prisoners and taken by the Japanese on the Bataan Deatl March to Camp O ' Donnell. Craigg survived the trauma and horrors of captivation on Bataan and went on to serve the Corps foi ; 22 years, retiring in 1963. Awarded the Bronze Star in 1992, the North Carolina resident is currently awaiting word of an aware | of the Silver Medal... 1 NOYEMBKR 11, 1992 - Private First Class Thomas A. Craigg Jr., United States Marine Corps is presented the Bronze Star Medal for services rendered against Japanese enemy forces for the Defense of Bataan and Corregidor from 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942. 226 Bataan Death March Ft. Lauderdale BATAAN ARG kicks off the Broward County Navy Days Florida Fleet Week 2001. ' 228 FT JM r ' - 1 Change of Command Change of Command Ceremony Captain Martin R. Allard relieves Captain John B. Strott 29 June 2001 Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia Thank You Captain Strott for everything you did for the USS BATAAN (LHD 5) 232 Ammo Onload Eark New Jersey thoughts that came to mind when I thought about the ammo onload in Earl NJ were hot, hot and where is my water? My feet ed that this day would never end, the pallets would just keep coming until we ed. There would be no liberty, no cold it the end of the day. We were on a r than expected and weren ' t i quit until we were done. Even as the I down the magrats worked hard below i mo in every single magazine. .; that this time out the ammo might very lor things other than training. On i no was given a good hard look over inly had the best and every item was ir. Sending back those items that lidn ' t meet the specs. This was important mt to get in a situation where the ammo ind couldn ' t be used Every single mbat Systems had a purpose and a I in the on -load, whether is was driving a handling a sling, banding, counting or I humping the ammo or safety. Forty-two nmunition and explosives were handled nd one-half days, and the ship was able : underway early. AOC(AW) Kimbcrly Parkhurst St. Thorn . ■t- ,- J 1 1 vi $j§ ■■' - .3 M HMM i eIa 58 JHh a 1 k nBHi ' V ' 9 pF I 1 235 TFEX Puerto Rico Joint Task Force Exercise 01-3 was a combined, joint exercise between the USS BATAAN ARG and the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group. The exercise served as a final preparation for the Battle Group ' s and ARG ' s upcoming major deployment. During this exercise, TRBATGRU and the ships of the BATAAN ARG conducted non-combatant evacuation operations, massive casualty exercises, combatant operations and beach assaults. Along with inserting Marines when called for in the scenario, BATAAN ARG showed its strength in warfare operations. With Navy aircraft, surface ships and submarines simulating hostile forces, BATAAN had to be on constant alert and maintain a constant state of readiness in order to detect any inbound or potential threat. 237 ™ September 11th I ' m afraid we have awakened a sleeping giant Admiral Yamamoto I Exercise TK rr 1 • I (Si 8§ 240 Bright Star ASHORE, NEAR ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, Oct. 23 - Sailors and Marines from the BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group and 26 th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) led the push as Exercise Bright Star ' 01 02 kicked into full swing with nine other coalition nations during a massive demonstration of military might here. Of the ten coalition nations participating, only three - the United States, Spain and the host country of Egypt took part in the amphibious landing demonstration, according to Commander Amphibious Squadron Eight Operations Officer Lt. Christopher Stopyra. The amphibious portion of the training is actually just a small portion of the overall exercise, he said. This is mainly a ground and field exercise — a world class multi- national exercise in which the world takes notice. Included in the waves ashore were a landing craft unit and Marine Reconnaissance Combat Rubber Raid Craft from the SHREVEPORT, amphibious assault vehicles from the WHIDBEY ISLAND, and Landing Cushioned Assault Craft from the BATAAN and WHIDBEY ISLAND. Other countries sent similar craft ashore, often filled with war fighting hardware from coalition partners. One of the most significant benefits of the exercise is strengthening of the joint commitment to regional stability. This exercise shows the multi- national amphibious coalition capabilities, said Col. A. P. Frick, Commanding Officer 26 MEU(SOC). It is a high visibility exercise and provides us with an opportunity to not only get in some good training for ourselves, but also to train our coalition partners while building friendships. 241 Souda Bay, Crete If % m i r 243 U We Stand December 11th — In observance of the three- month anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, USS BATAAN Sailors and Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) participated in the world-wide showing of solidarity, pausing for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the exact hour that the first plane struck the World Trade Center on September 11th. In honor of those who lost their lives that day, a 12 by 18-foot American flag sent by the New York Police Department ' s Emergency Squad to the Marines of the 26th MEU(SOC) was raised aboard USS BATAAN. The flag was signed by hundreds ot people who wrote tributes and inspirational messages in honor of the New Vo; k City Police Emergency Squad members and Sailors killed aboard USS COLE. Members of the Emergency Squad, some retired and others former Marines, draped this Hag over the World Financial Center Building Number One a few clays after the attacks beneath a huge banner that read, United We Stand. 246 In pursuit of w ® 9 : . v 4 « 3 f expressed our feel- ings about Osma Bin Laden by s e nding personal messages on bombs that were dropped over Af- ghanistan. 1 o s XS li o first launch 3 We made the 400-mile trip to the Kandahar area, found our tanker and reported on station. You could walk in the sky it was so I ull of Allied aircraft, which gave us comfort knowing we were not alone. That ' s when the magnitude of the situation hit me. Time compressed, it felt like it took an hour to go the last few miles prior to dropping the bombs. I was feeling smug of the gift ! was going to deliver to some hate filled terrorist and at the same time shocked that 1 was actually going to deliver steel in anger. ly hat goes off to the engineers; the jet ' s bombing system worked flawlessly .md the Laser Guided Bomb worked just as well. This was the lirst ordnance the USS Hataan ever delivered against any enemy. It was also the first bomb my parents squadron. VMA 223 (The Great American Bulldogs) has dropped inceVietNam. Ever .e onboard the Bataan should share the success of the mission and all of the missions like it. Without the grapes pumping JP 5, the blue shirts busting chains, the Marine mechanics and maintainers fixing the aircraft, the mess men working hard, and every and all sort of personnel onboard the Bataan, none ol this would have been possible. My hats nil to m. You made me proud, the Skipper proud, the Navy Marine Corps proud and .America proud . Nathan Berryman Raj i HMM J65( apt I SM 250 o 3 o o o 251 The above photos show the MEU inspecting MREs, getting new boots, inspecting gas masks and gear. The 26th MEU spent months preparing for the mission into Afghanistan. Accountability ! I gear was mission critical. Inspecting gear prior to departure made sure that everyone had all the gear needed for the operation. 252 253 254 V Freedom 1 bo — 255 ourncy to £ 6, ,f« and into Afghanistan 257 o one When the 26th MEU (SOC) left the ea aed to the unit knew exactly what perils lie ahead. With the aftermath of the World Trade Center, the pentagon and the third treacherous strike attempt still fresh on everyone ' s minds, we wondered whether we would go to Afghanistan? This made our departure a much more intense situation. As fate would direct, we got our imitation to join Operation Enduring i recdom as the 26th MEU (SOC) was sent to Afghanistan to secure a forward operating base to support follow on missions and humanitarian assisl ance. As we flew via helicopter into Afghanistan, 1 couldn ' t help but wonder if all the training we had done during our pre deployment . and the years before that would pay off. 1 know my Marines and i t they were trained well. However, I wasn ' r sure of how we all would react to a real world scenario.. .actual conflict. During our ocean transit, we sat on the ship tor weeks waiting for o ur opportunity, basically, to do our job, to be Marines.. .to do whatever needed to be done, living aboard ship is very confining and thoughts of the unknown were stilling. We all became victims to boredom and tempers and emotions ran high. Additionally, 1 was rned about gunfire and landmines. No one voiced their worries, hey u ere evident on the faces of my Marines. What would our i i ! hauls and loi loif we got shot or it w e ne er .ir Kandahar, it w as hard to believe the ir [he Russian built airport used to be an rial airport fi r Afghanistan duriivj, the Soviet occupation l valking death trap. Mines every where a d were our biggest concern. Marines cautiously walking around the facility witnessed more evidence of the war scarred nation Artillery pieces, over-turned trucks, armored vehicles, tanks and bullet ridden aircraft were abandoned by the Russians. The devastation became more apparent when we conducted a seeurir patrol through Kandahar. Most of the buildings were damaged, mar completely unusable. They had no infrastructure to speak of, yet, lif for the Afghans went on as normal. The people there surveyed us lik anyone would look at a foreigner. Their expressions seemed to inquin •What right do they have to be here, That ' s probablv what the thinking. Can ' t they just leave us alone? A life of gunfire, bombing and war- were every day occurrences. This was normalcy for them. 1 va not afraid of the people. 1 was however very apprehensive. I knew that I let my guard down, my Marines and I could be in serious trouble Th people were obviously sick and tired of war. Sick and tired of th: of life. They were numb to the entire situation. What really concernc me w as the children. The children. How could they live in this r, environment? It brought to mind my child. My two year old and ho life is for him. Wondering how my child might worry about bombs and starvation. I couldn ' t bear it. A child should not have I w orry about anyt hing but being a child. The women were treated liki second class citizens. U was very evident that they were segret The men were gatheted in one area and the women in another. That their life style That is their culture. The women were basi alienated. to I The The Che seer came point. Ironic as it may seem. were there. M any of them don ' t i the world. The Taliban kept a tig I ' m sure that life outside of this dirt dream or a fantasy. We spent 40 plus days in Afghanistan, no real showers, no real food and no solid plan ahead. The days were warm and the nights were col temperature was in the 60 ' s during the day and 30 ' s at nij The temperature always changed dramatically at night. It always rained at night. Of course, when it rained all the dirt turned to mud. What would we be doing? Wl would happen to my Marines. My only concern was get my Marines home alive. We went further inland than an) ' other MEU had g before. A normal operating range is 200 miles and we we miles into enemy terroritory from USS BATAAN and sa conducted operations effectively even though we we far away. Operations were supported safely by the ARG running hig preparation. All paid off. The 26 ' f our part. We had a ] good about our mission aric our part in Operation Enc Once the mission was accor heading back to the ship. When I sa ! could let my guard down. All my MEU made it back safely - Thank God. Gunnery Sgtjohn , 259 N T t A i o IP 3 j O 26J 262 1 ■1 I m M- u o in Ground f 9 e 4 The ceremony honored the first flag flown at Ground Zero amid what was once the World Trade Center. The WTC, as it is also referred to, flag was raised in the middle of the rubble by New York City firefighters and has since been flown by the aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) and other U.S. Navy ships deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 1 was very honored to have been able to fly that flag on BATAAN, said the ship ' s Commanding Officer Capt. Martin R. Allard. This was clone as a tribute to all those heroes who died attempting to save others. I ' m ready, and my ship and Sailors are ready to stay at sea until the job is done. New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani originally presented the flag to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Both the Governor and Mayor felt that the flag should be sent out to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in honor of the ship ' s namesake and the fact that he was from Manhattan. During a ceremony on the ship ' s flight deck, both Marines and Sailors passed the flag until it reached the hands of New York resident YN2(SW AW) Ester Marte. Once firmly in her grip, she marched with the flag from the flight deck to the 06 level where she delivered it to BATAAN ' s Commanding Officer Capt. Martin Allard . The Skipper, in-turn, presented it to two members of BATAAN ' s Color Guard, DK2 Thomas Jack and IS3 John Gray, who raised it while the National Anthem filled the air. A few moments after the last note of the Star Spangled Banner played, Taps was played in remembrance of all who died Sept. 11. According to Petty Officer Marte, being the person who was chosen to deliver the flag to the ship ' s Commanding Officer was an unforgettable experience. It was such an honor, said the three-year Navy veteran. I felt so proud. I felt as though I was representing every person in New York City. It was an honor that I will never forget. ♦▼H ' « .-it 265 l Fi h ; U For the sake not only of ourselves but of our children and our children ' s children we must see that this nation stands for strength and honesty both at home and abroad. 26 m Talent Show 270 Diversity at its best. 1 V A w i7 , . «i • l2 ■i • IK , y k k JJr l 273 Whats a little working party? 275 Steel Beach Picni Steel Beach Picnic 11 3? § ' ' A i Ik r. 279 i| - wm Lj t Js 9fl . . H - MWR Activities DV Operations _ r ™ 0£ 284 Meet the Artist CAPTAlex K Fulford Assigned to: HMM-365 Hometown: Tucker, Georgia How long have you been doing this type of art work? Four or five years. What made you decide to paint the murals? I had painted some during our last float and was asked by our crew chief to paint some during this float. Where do you get the ideas for your artwork? I used models and pictures to draw from. How long did each one take to com- plete? Most took five to six hours to do; the one with the girl on the horse took eight hours. What type of art do you plan to do in the future? I have not decided, yet. Have you been commissioned to do art for anyone? Yes, I have painted some nursery murals. How long have you been assigned with the squadron? This is my third year and second cruise with them. ssm 9 Meet the Artist ABH3 Vandcvccr Assigned to: USS BATAAN ' s Crash and Salvage (VI ) Hometown: Cisco, California How long have you been doing art work? I ' ve been drawing since I was 7 years old and painting since I was 20. I What kind of training in art do you have? I have no formal training. What made you decide to paint the War Paint eagle? I was asked to paint it. How long did it take to complete War Paint? It took about four nights, about 18 hours. What type of art do you plan to do in the future? Whatever comes to mind. Have you been paid for your art? I have sold some drawings to a comic publisher and did some art work for the Sacramento Bee Newspaper. Has any of your art work been used for tattoos? I have sold a couple of drawings to some shops. Malta I The Rail I lean on the rail, overlooking the bay The sun reflects the end of day The wind is calm, the water so clear I relive the day I left her on the pier I remember the day she was standing there A cold gray morning, the wind in her hair We forced a smile, we never cried Yet each of us was dying inside It ' s so hard to live a Sailor ' s life But it ' s so much harder to be a Sailor ' s wife She stands with strength to watch him leave She supports the kids, never letting them grieve As life goes on, she supresses her pain And she gathers the pieces of her heart again Then she walks away, her eyes now burn And she waits six months for me to return And inside ot me, my heart cries too Knowing what this is doing to you So I come to this rail every night I count the days rill my life is right And I use this time to honor my wile Grateful forever she ' s a part of my life And as the sun falls quietly behind the sea The darkness of night envelopes me It is now I realize how she feels The dark, the cold, my breath it steals It ' s in this darkness my emotions break free And I cry for her from inside of me And I pray for the strength I saw her display 1 want the courage she shows everyday When the day is here, and the cruise is done Whether there ' s rain, snow or shining sun I will see her smile, she ' ll see mine too She has made all this Sailor ' s dreams come true And no longer will we be dying inside The tears will flow, no longer they hide I will rush through the crowd, she is my endeavor Let me hold her tonight, I ' ll hold her forever Yes it ' s hard to live a Sailor ' s life But I am grateful for my Sailor wife HTC(SW A W) Shayne P. Baldwin i 294 Family Support Group T! Tiger Cruise n Did you knowW I ly Days - No Fly Days - 15 InPort Days - 22 LCAC Hours -387.1 Hours Flight Hours - In excess of 7000 Gallons of JP5 Fuel Received - 1,502,200 Reenlistments - 128 Total Reenlistment Bonuses - $1,630,134.92 Pounds of Coffee- 2,750 Pounds of Hamburger Served - 11,058 Pounds of Hot Dogs Served - 10, 310 Pounds of Lobster Served - 4,586 Pounds of Chicken Served - 85,041 Pounds of Rice Served - 11, 286 Gallons of Milk Served - 28,266 Amount of Cereal Boxes - 90,720 Sodas Sold - 600,000 Snickers Sold -24,000 Pounds of Laundry Processed - 190,000 Movies Played -2,982 Command Awards FY-01 - NEY Award (Third Consecutive Ney) FY -01 - CINCLANTFLT Retention Excellence Award 1 Jan 01 - 31 Dec 02 - Battle Efficiency Award (Second Consecutive) 302 I BATAAN Cruiscbook Staff Editor JOC(SW AW) MichaelJ. Viola Layout Design LIC(SW AW) Myra Jackson PH2(AW SW) Christopher Staten Photo Editor PH2(AW SW) Christopher Staten Photographers PHC(AW) Carol Vernon PH2(AW SW) Christopher Staten PH2(AW) Jimmy Lee PH3(AW)JohnTaucher PHAN Rafael Chiles PHAN(AW) Brandy Tilbury Cruise Book Contributors LT John Sipes JOCS(SW AW) Millie Tamberg HTC(SW AW) Shayne Baldwin MMC(EOD DV PJ FMF) Jon Scott JOl(SW) Todd (Scoop) Hansen A01(A W) Jimmy Orr AKl(AW) Tammy Speaker MM2(SW AW) Helbert Ramiro CT02(SW AW) Melissa Bach IC2(SW AW) Debra Cohn AC2 (AW SW) Aurora Selby AK3 Sarah Barnes IT3 George Fountain IC2 Benjamin Quackenbush Special Thanks to PHC(AW) Johnny Bivera Combat Camera Atlantic and to all who submitted photos. 303 ■MM Undicm ( cecui ffjtVS
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