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PHIBGRU 2 Visits Bataan During COMPTUEX

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061108-08
Release Date: 11/8/2006 5:22:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (AW) Joanne De Vera, USS Bataan Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Commander, Amphibious Group (PHIBGRU) 2 visited the Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) Nov. 1-3 while underway off the Atlantic coast.

Rear Adm. Garry Hall embarked the warship with seven members from his staff as a deployable command element while the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) continued to conduct its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

“We came out to Bataan to show our ability to command and control and reach back to my staff in Little Creek,” said Hall. “Our visit to Bataan proves the concept that we can scale our staff, deploy and join the MEU and amphibious squadron to command from at-sea.”

The visit came in the midst of a transition for PHIBGRU 2.

“We are shifting from an administrative staff that takes care of training, equipping and manning of our amphibious forces to a deployable command element,” said Hall. “We’ve gone through a great deal of training to become an operational staff, and I think that with this exercise at sea, PHIBGRU 2 is almost ready to become ESG 2.”

ESG 2 will be able to provide flexibility to operations as a flag officer-led strike group in the upcoming deployment. Sailors and Marines deploying with the Bataan ESG can expect to be busy.

“Our forces can expect to be used in a very flexible and efficient manner as we support land forces ashore and as we engage in the theater,” said Hall. “Any time an ESG, an amphibious squadron or a MEU deploys, they are used in a multitude of events. They should expect the unexpected and be prepared for any mission to come their way.”

The Bataan ESG has been preparing for possible missions during its COMPTUEX exercise.

“I’m very pleased with Bataan’s performance during this exercise and I’m very excited to deploy with her,” said Hall. “She’s a great ship with a great reputation and a fantastic crew that I’m very proud of.”

Bataan ESG is comprised of embarked elements of Amphibious Squadron 2, the 26th MEU, USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Underwood (FFG 36), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

Bataan is one of 24 ships that comprise Commander, Amphibious Group 2, based at Naval Air Base Little Creek, Va. COMPHIBGRU 2, with its 16,000 Sailors and Marines, provides warfighting naval amphibious forces to operate with joint and combined forces for combatant commanders.