Royal Navy Tanker Provides Replenishment For Bataan
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090721-05
Release Date: 7/21/2009 2:57:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Erin Boyce, USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) recently conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS) with RFA Wave Knight (A 389), a Royal Navy fast fleet tanker, while conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations.
Bataan received nearly 700,000 gallons of fuel. The two crews also conducted training during the three hours they sailed alongside each other. This allowed the two navies an opportunity to practice and increase their understanding of coalition at-sea replenishment procedures.
"It was a good learning experience for everybody because we rarely do underway replenishments with the other coalition forces," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Jason Hatfield, Bataan's 1st division leading chief petty officer and native of Milburn, Okla. "We got a chance to look at it and see how they do business, and we got some good training."
Crews of both ships coordinated navigation information, used equipment familiar to both navies and followed all safety procedures to ensure a successful evolution.
"We made sure we were at the right rendezvous point; we used speed flags, a stadimeter for stationing and the ship's gyro for bearing accuracy," said Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) David Mitchell from Cleveland, Ohio, leading petty officer for Bataan's navigation department.
The RAS allowed Bataan to remain fully mission-capable and able to carry out all assigned tasks while at sea for prolonged periods of time in regions where resupply ports are often not available.
Bataan serves as the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.
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