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{{Other ships|USS Bataan}}
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'''USS ''Bataan'' (LHD-5)''' is a {{sclass-|Wasp|amphibious assault ship}} commissioned in 1997. The ship is named to honor the defense of the [[Bataan Peninsula]] on the western side of [[Manila Bay]] in the [[Philippines]] during the early days of US involvement in [[World War II]].
'''USS ''Bataan'' (LHD-5)''' is a {{sclass-|Wasp|amphibious assault ship}} in the [[United States Navy]]. The ship is named for the [[Battle of Bataan]] in the Philippines, during [[World War II]].


==Christening==
==Christening==
Ship's sponsor, Linda Sloan Mundy, wife of former [[Commandant of the Marine Corps|Marine Corps Commandant]] Gen. [[Carl E. Mundy, Jr.]], christened the new ship "in the name of the United States and in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan." at [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]], [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]]. More than 100 members of veterans groups associated with the [[Battle of Bataan|defense of Bataan]] and the subsequent infamous "[[Bataan Death March|Death March]]", the [[Battle of Corregidor]], and the aircraft carrier {{USS|Bataan|CVL-29|3}} were at the christening ceremony.
Ship's [[Ship sponsor|sponsor]], Linda Sloan Mundy, wife of former [[Commandant of the Marine Corps|Marine Corps Commandant]] Gen [[Carl E. Mundy, Jr.]], [[Ship christening|christened]] the new ship "in the name of the United States and in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan." at [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]], [[Pascagoula, Mississippi]]. More than 100 members of veterans groups associated with both the Battle of Bataan and the infamous "[[Bataan Death March]]" that followed, as well as the [[Battle of Corregidor]], and the aircraft carrier {{USS|Bataan|CVL-29|3}}, were at the christening ceremony. She was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 20 September 1997.{{cn}}


==History==
==History==
[[File:US Navy 080704-N-8154G-027 Sailors assigned to the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) assist in the unfolding of a flag flown over the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.jpg|thumb|left|Sailors assigned to USS ''Bataan'' assist midshipmen in the folding of a flag that was flown over the World Trade Center in New York City on [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001]].]]
[[File:US Navy 080704-N-8154G-027 Sailors assigned to the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) assist in the unfolding of a flag flown over the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.jpg|thumb|Sailors assigned to ''Bataan'' assist in the unfolding of a flag that was flying over the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001, during a ceremony in 2008]]
[[File:US Navy 060607-N-0318R-120 An MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC-28), lowers a mortar to the deck of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).jpg|thumb|left|USMC M327 mortar air lifted onto the amphibious assault ship USS ''Bataan'' by MH-60S Seahawk on 7 June 2006]]
[[File:US Navy 060607-N-0318R-120 An MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the Dragon Whales of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC-28), lowers a mortar to the deck of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).jpg|thumb|USMC M327 mortar air lifted onto ''Bataan''{{'}}s deck by MH-60S Seahawk on 7 June 2006]]


===2001 to 2003 Operation Enduring Freedom===
===2001 to 2003: Operation Enduring Freedom===
The USS ''Bataan'' Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) were the first ships to respond after the [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001 attacks]]. The ship was home on leave during the attack and was scheduled to be deployed on 19 September 2001. The crew was called back from early leave and the ship headed for [[New York Harbor]], as it is capable of acting as a 600-bed hospital ship with surgical suites on board. Once it was determined there were few survivors, ''Bataan'' returned to [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk]], Virginia. The ship's crew prepared and onloaded the [[26th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] with gear both pierside in Norfolk, and off the coast of North Carolina from [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point|Cherry Point]] and [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune|Camp Lejeune]]. The ''Bataan'' ARG delivered more than 2,500 Marines and their equipment to [[Pakistan]] with the aim to enter [[Afghanistan]], thus opening [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. The ''Bataan'' ARG stayed on station off the coast of Pakistan and completed the longest sustained amphibious assault in U.S. history with sailors not touching ground for over four months.
The USS ''Bataan'' Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) were the first ships to respond after the [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001 attacks]]. The ship was home on leave during the attack and was scheduled to be deployed on 19 September 2001. The crew was called back from early leave and the ship headed for [[New York Harbor]], as she is capable of acting as a 600-bed hospital ship with surgical suites on board. Once it was determined there were few survivors,{{clarify}} ''Bataan'' returned to [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk]], Virginia. The ship's crew prepared and onloaded the [[26th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] with gear both pierside in Norfolk, and off the coast of North Carolina from [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point|Cherry Point]] and [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune|Camp Lejeune]]. The ''Bataan'' ARG delivered more than 2,500 Marines and their equipment to [[Pakistan]] with the aim to enter [[Afghanistan]], thus opening [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. The ''Bataan'' ARG stayed on station off the coast of Pakistan and completed the longest sustained amphibious assault in U.S. history with sailors not touching ground for over four months.{{cn}}


===2003 to 2007 Iraq War===
===2003 to 2007: The Iraq War===
''Bataan'' was one of many vessels in the Middle East region at the beginning of the [[Iraq War]] on or about 20 March 2003. After delivering her attack and transport helicopters, troops, and vehicles she was employed as a "Harrier Carrier" with primary duties supporting two Marine [[AV-8B Harrier II]] squadrons along with {{USS|Bonhomme Richard|LHD-6|6}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ansarov |first=Sonya |title=Harrier Carrier: Strike Force for Freedom |work= |publisher= |date=24 March 2003 |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6475 |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810122802/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6475 |archivedate=10 August 2009 }}</ref> She has made two deployments to the region since the invasion. For her third deployment, she joined the [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth Fleet]] in the Gulf region, transiting the [[Suez Canal]] into the [[Red Sea]] on 30 January 2007.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
''Bataan'' was one of many vessels in the Middle East region at the beginning of the [[Iraq War]] on or about 20 March 2003. After delivering her attack and transport helicopters, troops, and vehicles she was employed as a "Harrier Carrier" with primary duties supporting two Marine [[AV-8B Harrier II]] squadrons along with {{USS|Bonhomme Richard|LHD-6|6}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ansarov |first=Sonya |title=Harrier Carrier: Strike Force for Freedom |work= |publisher= |date=24 March 2003 |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6475 |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810122802/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=6475 |archivedate=10 August 2009 }}</ref> She has made two deployments to the region since the invasion. For her third deployment, she joined the [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth Fleet]] in the Gulf region, transiting the [[Suez Canal]] into the [[Red Sea]] on 30 January 2007.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}


''Bataan'' provided relief to the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]]. She was positioned near [[New Orleans]] prior to Katrina making landfall, and began relief operations on 30 August. The ship's helicopters were among the first to provide damage assessment. They went on to transport over 1,600 displaced persons. ''Bataan'' delivered more than {{convert|100,000|lb|kg}} of cargo and 8,000 U.S. gallons (30,000 liters) of fresh water to the area. The ship served as a base for two fly-away medical teams, consisting of 84 medical professionals, who provided emergency medical care in [[New Orleans]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
''Bataan'' provided relief to the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]]. She was positioned near [[New Orleans]] prior to Katrina making landfall, and began relief operations on 30 August. The ship's helicopters were among the first to provide damage assessment. They went on to transport over 1,600 displaced persons. ''Bataan'' delivered more than {{convert|100,000|lb|kg}} of cargo and 8,000 U.S. gallons (30,000 liters) of fresh water to the area. The ship served as a base for two fly-away medical teams, consisting of 84 medical professionals, who provided emergency medical care in [[New Orleans]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}


===2005 evaluation of V-22 Osprey===
===2005: Evaluation of V-22 Osprey===
''Bataan'' served as a naval testbed for evaluation of the [[V-22 Osprey]] [[tiltrotor]] aircraft in September 2005. This work included OPEVAL II operational and live fire tests and was accomplished with a total of eight Ospreys.
''Bataan'' served as a naval testbed for evaluation of the [[V-22 Osprey]] [[tiltrotor]] aircraft in September 2005. This work included OPEVAL II operational and live fire tests and was accomplished with a total of eight Ospreys.


In 2009, ''Bataan'' became the first Navy ship to host an operational squadron of V-22 rotorcraft when she embarked ten Ospreys of the [[VMM-263]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairmo/articles/20090422.aspx |website=Strategypage.com |date=22 April 2009 |title=Air Transportation: MV-22s Go To Sea |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>
In 2009, ''Bataan'' became the first Navy ship to host an operational squadron of V-22 rotorcraft when she embarked ten Ospreys of the [[VMM-263]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairmo/articles/20090422.aspx |website=Strategypage.com |date=22 April 2009 |title=Air Transportation: MV-22s Go To Sea |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>


===2008 Hurricane Gustav===
===2008: Hurricane Gustav===
Early in September 2008, ''Bataan'' participated in the HURREX exercise where the [[United States Second Fleet|U.S. Second Fleet]] directed tests designed to evaluate the ship's ability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs during the [[2008 Atlantic hurricane season|2008 hurricane season]]. She was ordered to be prepared to deploy in the event that the Navy is directed to provide assistance to civilian authorities after [[Hurricane Gustav]] came ashore.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39442 |title=Navy Flexes to Support Hurricane Gustav Recovery Efforts |number=NNS080901-03 |publisher=United States Navy |author=U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs |date=1 September 2008 |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>
Early in September 2008, ''Bataan'' participated in the HURREX exercise where the [[United States Second Fleet|U.S. Second Fleet]] directed tests designed to evaluate the ship's ability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs during the [[2008 Atlantic hurricane season|2008 hurricane season]]. She was ordered to be prepared to deploy in the event that the Navy is directed to provide assistance to civilian authorities after [[Hurricane Gustav]] came ashore.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39442 |title=Navy Flexes to Support Hurricane Gustav Recovery Efforts |number=NNS080901-03 |publisher=United States Navy |author=U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs |date=1 September 2008 |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>


⚫
===2008: Controversial use as a prison ship===
⚫
===2010 Haiti earthquake===
⚫
In June 2008, the UK-based human rights organization [[Reprieve (organisation)|Reprieve]] issued a report that listed ''Bataan'' as one of up to 17 ships they believed were used to imprison terrorism suspects.<ref>{{Cite web|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=USS Bataan |work= |publisher=Reprieve |date= |url=http://www.reprieve.org.uk/ussbataan |format= |doi= |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810065723/http://www.reprieve.org.uk/ussbataan |archivedate=10 August 2009 }}</ref>

⚫
On 2 June 2008, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that "The US has admitted that ''Bataan'' and {{USS|Peleliu|LHA-5|2}} were used as [[prison ship]]s between December 2001 and January 2002".<ref name= Guardian>{{Citation| last = Campbell| first = Duncan | last2 = Norton-Taylor| first2 = Richard | title = Prison ships, torture claims, and missing detainees| newspaper = The Guardian| pages = | date = 2 June 2008| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/02/terrorism.terrorism| accessdate =22 October 2015}}</ref>

⚫
===2010: Haiti earthquake===
On 13 January 2010, ''Bataan'' was ordered to assist in the humanitarian relief efforts following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_vinson_haiti_011310w/ |last=Bacon|first= Lance M. |title=Carl Vinson, 6 Other Ships Headed to Haiti |work=Navy Times |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=22 October 2015}} {{subscription required}}</ref> She was deployed to [[Grand-Goâve]] and returned home 1 April 2010.<ref>{{cite web |website=BYM News |url=http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=65179 |title=Haiti. USS Bataan sailors rebuild, bring relief to Grande Goave |date=29 January 2010 |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>
On 13 January 2010, ''Bataan'' was ordered to assist in the humanitarian relief efforts following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_vinson_haiti_011310w/ |last=Bacon|first= Lance M. |title=Carl Vinson, 6 Other Ships Headed to Haiti |work=Navy Times |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=22 October 2015}} {{subscription required}}</ref> She was deployed to [[Grand-Goâve]] and returned home 1 April 2010.<ref>{{cite web |website=BYM News |url=http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=65179 |title=Haiti. USS Bataan sailors rebuild, bring relief to Grande Goave |date=29 January 2010 |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>


===2011 Libya and Italy ===
===2011: Libya and Italy ===
[[File:US Navy 111215-N-KA046-227 A firefighting team enters a smoke-filled room.jpg|thumb|[[Gulf of Oman]], (December 15, 2011). A firefighting team enters a smoke-filled room to extinguish a [[Simulation|mock]] fire during a general quarters drill aboard ''Bataan'']]
[[File:US Navy 111215-N-KA046-227 A firefighting team enters a smoke-filled room.jpg|thumb|[[Gulf of Oman]], (December 15, 2011). A firefighting team enters a smoke-filled room to extinguish a [[Simulation|mock]] fire during a general quarters drill aboard ''Bataan'']]


On 23 March 2011, ''Bataan'' was deployed to Italy to assist in enforcing the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|no-fly zone]] over Libya.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}
On 23 March 2011, ''Bataan'' was deployed to Italy to assist in enforcing the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|no-fly zone]] over Libya.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}


===2014 Air Campaign in Iraq===
===2014: Air Campaign in Iraq===
During the 2014 air campaign against the [[Islamic State in Iraq and Syria]], AV-8B Harriers from ''Bataan'' participated in reconnaissance missions and at least one air strike, including the first use of Marine Corps ordnance against an ISIS-controlled target.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140910/NEWS08/309100057/Marine-Harrier-strikes-Islamic-State-near-Haditha-Dam?sf30936339=1 |title=Marine Harrier strikes Islamic State near Haditha Dam |last=Stewart |first=Joshua |website=Marine Times |date=10 September 2014 |accessdate=22 October 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107040050/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140910/NEWS08/309100057/Marine-Harrier-strikes-Islamic-State-near-Haditha-Dam?sf30936339=1 |archivedate=7 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
During the 2014 air campaign against the [[Islamic State in Iraq and Syria]], AV-8B Harriers from ''Bataan'' participated in reconnaissance missions and at least one air strike, including the first use of Marine Corps ordnance against an ISIS-controlled target.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140910/NEWS08/309100057/Marine-Harrier-strikes-Islamic-State-near-Haditha-Dam?sf30936339=1 |title=Marine Harrier strikes Islamic State near Haditha Dam |last=Stewart |first=Joshua |website=Marine Times |date=10 September 2014 |accessdate=22 October 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107040050/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140910/NEWS08/309100057/Marine-Harrier-strikes-Islamic-State-near-Haditha-Dam?sf30936339=1 |archivedate=7 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


===2016 Mark VI patrol boat operations===
===2016: Mark VI patrol boat operations===


[[File:A mark VI patrol boat docks with the USS bataan.jpg|thumb|A [[Mark VI patrol boat]] docking with ''Bataan'']]
[[File:A mark VI patrol boat docks with the USS bataan.jpg|thumb|A [[Mark VI patrol boat]] docking with ''Bataan'']]


In May 2016, the Bataan conducted well deck operations with the [[Mark VI patrol boat]], demonstrating the capability to launch and dock the 85 ft patrol boat with an Amphibious assault ship. This was the first time the Mark VI operated out of an LHD and the second time it operated out of a well deck overall. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Minami |first1=Raymond |title=Bataan Trains with New Mark VI Patrol Boats |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=94780 |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2016, ''Bataan'' conducted well deck operations with the [[Mark VI patrol boat]], demonstrating the capability to launch and dock the 85 ft patrol boat with an amphibious assault ship. This was the first time the Mark VI operated out of an LHD and the second time it operated out of a well deck overall. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Minami |first1=Raymond |title=Bataan Trains with New Mark VI Patrol Boats |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=94780 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
===Controversy regarding use as a prison ship===
⚫
In June 2008, the UK-based human rights organization [[Reprieve (organisation)|Reprieve]] issued a report that listed ''Bataan'' as one of up to 17 ships where they believed that terrorism suspects were being imprisoned.<ref>{{Cite web|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=USS Bataan |work= |publisher=Reprieve |date= |url=http://www.reprieve.org.uk/ussbataan |format= |doi= |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810065723/http://www.reprieve.org.uk/ussbataan |archivedate=10 August 2009 }}</ref> The US&nbsp;Navy denied the allegation.

⚫
On 2 June 2008, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that "The US has admitted that the ''Bataan'' and {{USS|Peleliu|LHA-5|2}} were used as [[prison ship]]s between December 2001 and January 2002". The article went on to state: "President George Bush admitted in September 2006 that the [[CIA]] operated a secret network of '[[black sites]]' in which terrorist suspects were held."<ref name= Guardian>{{Citation| last = Campbell| first = Duncan | last2 = Norton-Taylor| first2 = Richard | title = Prison ships, torture claims, and missing detainees| newspaper = The Guardian| pages = | date = 2 June 2008| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/02/terrorism.terrorism| accessdate =22 October 2015}}</ref>

===Crew dismissals===
In February 2011, the Navy announced that 16 members of the ship's crew were being dismissed for using the [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]-analogue drug [[Synthetic cannabis|spice]]. Fifteen of the sailors received [[non-judicial punishment]] and one was convicted in a [[Summary (law)|summary court-martial]] after an eight-week investigation into use of the drug by the ship's crewmembers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reilly |first=Corinne |title=Navy Discharging 16 On Bataan For Using Or Dealing Spice |work=[[Norfolk Virginian-Pilot]] |date=3 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McMichael |first=William H. |url=http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/02/navy-16-bataan-sailors-discharged-for-use-of-spice-020311/ |title=16 Bataan sailors discharged for spice use |website=[[Military Times]] |date=3 February 2011 |accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==

Revision as of 01:42, 12 March 2019

For other ships with the same name, see USS Bataan.

USS Bataan (LHD-5), in the Atlantic, preparing for deployment, 17 July 1999
USS Bataan in 1999
History
United States
NameUSS Bataan
Namesakethe defense of the
Bataan Peninsula
Ordered20 December 1991
BuilderIngalls Shipbuilding
Laid down22 June 1994
Launched15 March 1996
Christened18 May 1996
Commissioned20 September 1997
HomeportNorfolk, Virginia
MottoCourage, Commitment, Honor
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Type
Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious assault ship
Displacement40,500 long tons (41,150 t) full load
Length843 ft (257 m)
Beam104 ft (31.8 m)
Draft27 ft (8.1 m)
PropulsionTwo boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 shp (52,000 kW);
Speed22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Range9,500 nautical miles (17,600 km; 10,900 mi) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Well deck dimensions: 266-by-50-foot (81 by 15.2 m) by 28-foot (8.5 m) high
Boats & landing
craft carried
Troops1,687 troops (plus 184 surge) Marine Detachment
Complement1,208
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Aircraft carried
  • Actual mix depends on the mission
  • Standard Complement:
  • 6
    attack aircraft
  • or
  • 6
    F-35B Lightning II
    stealth strike-fighters
  • 4
    /Viper
    attack helicopter
  • 12
    MV-22B Osprey
    assault support tiltrotor
  • 4
    CH-53E Super Stallion
    heavy-lift helicopters
  • 3–4
    UH-1Y Venom
    utility helicopters
  • Assault:
  • 22+
    MV-22B Osprey
    assault support tiltrotor
  • Sea Control:
  • 20
    attack aircraft
  • or
  • 20
    F-35B Lightning II
    stealth strike-fighters
  • 6
    HH-60H ASW
    helicopters

USS Bataan (LHD-5) is a Template:Sclass- in the United States Navy. The ship is named for the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines, during World War II.

Christening

Ship's

christened the new ship "in the name of the United States and in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan." at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. More than 100 members of veterans groups associated with both the Battle of Bataan and the infamous "Bataan Death March" that followed, as well as the Battle of Corregidor, and the aircraft carrier Bataan (CVL-29), were at the christening ceremony. She was commissioned on 20 September 1997.[citation needed
]

History

Sailors assigned to Bataan assist in the unfolding of a flag that was flying over the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001, during a ceremony in 2008
USMC M327 mortar air lifted onto Bataan's deck by MH-60S Seahawk on 7 June 2006

2001 to 2003: Operation Enduring Freedom

The USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) were the first ships to respond after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The ship was home on leave during the attack and was scheduled to be deployed on 19 September 2001. The crew was called back from early leave and the ship headed for New York Harbor, as she is capable of acting as a 600-bed hospital ship with surgical suites on board. Once it was determined there were few survivors,[clarification needed] Bataan returned to Norfolk, Virginia. The ship's crew prepared and onloaded the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit with gear both pierside in Norfolk, and off the coast of North Carolina from Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune. The Bataan ARG delivered more than 2,500 Marines and their equipment to Pakistan with the aim to enter Afghanistan, thus opening Operation Enduring Freedom. The Bataan ARG stayed on station off the coast of Pakistan and completed the longest sustained amphibious assault in U.S. history with sailors not touching ground for over four months.[citation needed]

2003 to 2007: The Iraq War

Bataan was one of many vessels in the Middle East region at the beginning of the

AV-8B Harrier II squadrons along with USS Bonhomme Richard.[2] She has made two deployments to the region since the invasion. For her third deployment, she joined the Fifth Fleet in the Gulf region, transiting the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on 30 January 2007.[citation needed
]

Bataan provided relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. She was positioned near New Orleans prior to Katrina making landfall, and began relief operations on 30 August. The ship's helicopters were among the first to provide damage assessment. They went on to transport over 1,600 displaced persons. Bataan delivered more than 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) of cargo and 8,000 U.S. gallons (30,000 liters) of fresh water to the area. The ship served as a base for two fly-away medical teams, consisting of 84 medical professionals, who provided emergency medical care in New Orleans.[citation needed]

2005: Evaluation of V-22 Osprey

Bataan served as a naval testbed for evaluation of the

V-22 Osprey tiltrotor
aircraft in September 2005. This work included OPEVAL II operational and live fire tests and was accomplished with a total of eight Ospreys.

In 2009, Bataan became the first Navy ship to host an operational squadron of V-22 rotorcraft when she embarked ten Ospreys of the VMM-263.[3]

2008: Hurricane Gustav

Early in September 2008, Bataan participated in the HURREX exercise where the U.S. Second Fleet directed tests designed to evaluate the ship's ability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs during the 2008 hurricane season. She was ordered to be prepared to deploy in the event that the Navy is directed to provide assistance to civilian authorities after Hurricane Gustav came ashore.[4]

2008: Controversial use as a prison ship

In June 2008, the UK-based human rights organization Reprieve issued a report that listed Bataan as one of up to 17 ships they believed were used to imprison terrorism suspects.[5]

On 2 June 2008, The Guardian reported that "The US has admitted that Bataan and Peleliu were used as prison ships between December 2001 and January 2002".[6]

2010: Haiti earthquake

On 13 January 2010, Bataan was ordered to assist in the humanitarian relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[7] She was deployed to Grand-Goâve and returned home 1 April 2010.[8]

2011: Libya and Italy

Gulf of Oman, (December 15, 2011). A firefighting team enters a smoke-filled room to extinguish a mock fire during a general quarters drill aboard Bataan

On 23 March 2011, Bataan was deployed to Italy to assist in enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.[citation needed]

2014: Air Campaign in Iraq

During the 2014 air campaign against the

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, AV-8B Harriers from Bataan participated in reconnaissance missions and at least one air strike, including the first use of Marine Corps ordnance against an ISIS-controlled target.[9]

2016: Mark VI patrol boat operations

A Mark VI patrol boat docking with Bataan

In May 2016, Bataan conducted well deck operations with the Mark VI patrol boat, demonstrating the capability to launch and dock the 85 ft patrol boat with an amphibious assault ship. This was the first time the Mark VI operated out of an LHD and the second time it operated out of a well deck overall. [10]

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Fact File: Amphibious Assault Ships - LHD/LHA(R)". U.S. Navy. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  2. ^ Ansarov, Sonya (24 March 2003). "Harrier Carrier: Strike Force for Freedom". Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Air Transportation: MV-22s Go To Sea". Strategypage.com. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  4. ^ U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs (1 September 2008). "Navy Flexes to Support Hurricane Gustav Recovery Efforts" (Press release). United States Navy. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  5. ^ "USS Bataan". Reprieve. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Campbell, Duncan; Norton-Taylor, Richard (2 June 2008), "Prison ships, torture claims, and missing detainees", The Guardian, retrieved 22 October 2015
  7. ^ Bacon, Lance M. (13 January 2010). "Carl Vinson, 6 Other Ships Headed to Haiti". Navy Times. Retrieved 22 October 2015. (subscription required)
  8. ^ "Haiti. USS Bataan sailors rebuild, bring relief to Grande Goave". BYM News. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  9. ^ Stewart, Joshua (10 September 2014). "Marine Harrier strikes Islamic State near Haditha Dam". Marine Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Minami, Raymond. "Bataan Trains with New Mark VI Patrol Boats".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
USS Bataan (LHD-5) (category)
  • USS Bataan Homepage
  • Maritimequest USS Bataan LHD-5 Photo Gallery
  • OPEVAL II testing report in pdf form
  • The case of the Taliban American CNN
  • Navy ship nearby underused Chicago Tribune 4 Sept 2005 - Link Does Not Work
  • Harrier carrier: Strike force for freedom
  • USS Bataan history at U.S. Carriers
    • USS Bataan (LHD-5) command histories –
      Naval History & Heritage Command
    • 2001
    • 2002
    • 2003
    • 2004
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