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Pearl Harbor Ships Win Battle "E"

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080305-19
Release Date: 3/5/2008 3:10:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Pearl Harbor-based ships USS Russell (DDG 59), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70) were announced as the winners of the Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") award, Feb. 28, by Commander, Naval Surface Forces.

The Battle "E" is awarded annually to ships and crews that present the maximum condition of departmental readiness in their group, and their capability to perform their wartime tasks.

"Everything is built on sustained superior performance, from making sure the laundry is running to the engineering plant running effectively," said Lake Erie Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Herbert Ellis, Lake. "Our crew must come here focused on a daily basis, treat each other with dignity and respect and be ready to execute when called upon."

For Cmdr. Jeff Weston, Russell's commanding officer, the Battle "E" award does not go to the ship itself, but the crew.

"It's a great honor for the ship, but it's not the ship who deserves it, it's the crew," said Weston. "The Battle 'E' belongs to the crew and is a compliment to the job they've done all year."

The ships that are eligible for the Battle "E" are examples of the best ships throughout the fleet and must maintain a high level of excellence throughout the year.

"We've had a great year. The crew responded to every challenge, and met and exceeded every one of them," said Lt. j.g. Kate Suthers, Russell's training officer. "The Sailors motivate and look out for each other to ensure that everyone does what they're supposed to do and that is what helps a ship win the Battle "E."

The Battle "E" award recognizes sustained superior performance in the following six excellence categories: Maritime warfare; engineering and survivability; command, control, communications, and information warfare; logistics management; Commander Naval Surface Force Safety Award; and the Efficiency Excellence Award.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.