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Wasp Earns Prestigious Battle "E" Award

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080325-14
Release Date: 3/25/2008 2:17:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian May, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) earned the Battle Efficiency Battle "E" award Feb. 29, receiving distinction as the top large-deck amphibious assault ship on the East Coast.

"It was a goal we had as a ship from day one ... and the crew rose to the occasion setting new standards throughout the fleet," said Wasp Commanding Officer, Capt. Michael Hawley.

Established July 1, 1974, by then-Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf, to recognize the best battle-ready ships and aviation squadrons, the Battle "E" is presented to commands that demonstrate sustainability in several categories of battle efficiency: maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control, and logistics.

Wasp excelled in a multitude of inspections and exercises during the 12-month categorical review period, having many record-breaking performances along the way. At the end of the fleet-wide competitive cycle, awards are given to individual ship departments that have achieved outstanding levels of readiness, which are a prerequisite for the winner of the Battle "E" from each respective type commander (TYCOM).

As a result of the crew's work, Wasp earned command excellence awards in each area, one of only eight ships on both coasts to sweep all categories.

"It takes a lot of work and great people to be one of eight ships out of 160 to earn all six command excellence awards and to be 1 of 5 to receive the Battle "E"," Hawley said. "Each department did everything to meet every requirement...no department wanted to let down the rest of the crew. You don't live for awards but they do give a good indication of where we stand on the waterfront."

Although Wasp is being recognized for the Battle "E" award, Hawley said it's important to note that this award is the result of a collective body of work.

"We couldn't have received this award without the support and assistance of all of the organizations on the waterfront, the other ships that helped us, and the support of our immediate superiors in charge [Amphibious Squadron 4]," Hawley said.

Wasp is now eligible for the Battenburg Cup which honors the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet. The cup is presented to the Battle "E" winner selected as best all-around ship in the fleet based on crew achievements. These include the Atlantic Fleet Sportsmanship Award; TYCOM Sailor of the Year Award; Golden Anchor Award; the Captain Edward F. Ney Award; command excellence awards and performance considerations such as operations and arduous commitments.

For more news from USS Wasp, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.