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SECNAV Visits Bataan, Thanks Crew for Efforts in Haiti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100302-11
Release Date: 3/2/2010 5:39:00 PM

By USS Bataan Public Affairs

CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) hosted the 75th Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) March 1, as the ship continues to support disaster relief efforts off the coast of Haiti.

The Honorable Ray Mabus met with Sailors and Marines on Bataan's mess decks before thanking the entire crew over the ship's general announcing system (1MC) for their efforts.

"One thing I don't think you hear enough of is thank you, and how much America appreciates you. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Thank you for your skill, and thank you for your patriotism," said Mabus. "When the earthquake hit Haiti, people just expected America to be able to respond. Well, it just doesn't happen without a lot of training. It doesn't happen without building ships like Bataan. It doesn't happen without the people on Bataan doing what you do."

While Mabus' time aboard was brief, he was able to witness and appreciate the efforts the "blue-green team" aboard Bataan has brought to the devastated island nation.

"Not enough people realize what the capacity of a big-deck (amphibious assault ship) is and all the different things you can do," said Mabus. "There is absolutely no other country on earth that could do what you've done here."

Mabus previously visited Bataan in August of 2009 when the ship was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, performing Maritime Security Operations. The ship returned to her homeport of Norfolk Dec. 8, 2009, before surging to support operations in Haiti Jan. 14.

"It is an astounding thing that you were able to pivot from the mission you had in the Gulf to the mission you have here—that everybody turned around and changed missions and did this good of a job," said Mabus.

Mabus continued to praise the team aboard Bataan as he introduced himself and shook the hand of every Sailor and Marine he encountered.

"It was great opportunity for the crew to meet the Navy's senior leader," said Quartermaster 1st Class David Mitchell, a native of Cleveland and the Navigation Department leading petty officer. "When he's on aboard and talking about the great work Bataan did down here, that's motivating."

Bataan is currently supporting Operation Unified Response as part of the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission, which also includes the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).