Bataan (LHD 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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N T t A i o IP 3 j O 26J