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Wasp Earns Prestigious Award

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080402-16
Release Date: 4/2/2008 4:13:00 PM

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

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

"When any of our Sailors tell someone they are on board the number one ship in the fleet, they mean it," said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Michael Hawley. "You have to believe in yourself first [within our own lifelines], then it spreads from there. If we were assigned to a different ship, then I'd expect us to feel the same way about that ship. But, we're not...and we think everyone else is competing to be number two!"

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 six categories of battle efficiency: maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control, logistics, safety and efficiency excellence.

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 all six categories, 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 one of five 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 Four]," Hawley said.

Wasp is now eligible for the Battenberg Cup which honors the top afloat command in the Atlantic Fleet. All three TYCOMs, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces; Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic and Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, will submit their number one Battle "E" winner to represent them in the competition. Hawley noted Wasp hopes to represent all ships assigned to COmmander Naval Surface Forces ,Atlantic for this prestigious award. The cup is presented to the Battle "E" winner selected as best all-around command in the fleet based on crew achievements.

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