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Bataan ARG Holds Safety Pause After Six Months of Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111003-10
10/3/2011

From Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the three ships assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) held a safety pause to reflect on ways to maintain a high standard of readiness and safety throughout the remainder of deployment, Sept. 26.

Training and discussions focused on techniques to avoid complacency such as creative ways to stay alert and vigilant, and examine factors that contribute to personnel readiness.

"We've done a lot of good things during these past six months of deployment," said Lt. Winston Brown, assistant operations officer, Amphibious Squadron 6, who structured the ARG-wide safety pause. "However, we can't allow previous successes to distract us from focusing on the task at hand and from being fully ready to execute all future calls. Our mission is not over until everyone is safely home."

Several days prior to the safety pause, Sailors were invited to submit anonymous surveys to their leadership addressing such topics as the amount and quality of sleep they were getting, their nutritional and exercise habits, and identifying common sources of stress during deployment.

"We're busy with operational commitments, but it's important to be proactive and get in the safety mindset where we identify what we're doing right and what we can do better," said Brown. "We're trying to hit safety from as many angles as we can to keep it fresh in their mind and to reinforce the products and services that are available to them."

One of the inherent challenges of deployment is a tendency to become complacent after having successfully performed an evolution multiple times. Inadequate amounts of sleep, poor nutrition, and anxiety over relationships with loved ones back home can also distract service members from concentrating on their job and lead to accidents and injuries, said Brown.

"The safety pause is important to redraw our focus toward safety," said Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW) Mikel Navarre, leading petty officer for dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island's (LSD 41) repair division. "My department is setting aside time to work out and relax throughout the week to give us a break from the groundhog-day effect we start to feel during these unusually long deployments."

Throughout the training, Sailors were challenged to remain vigilant and alert to symptoms of stress and fatigue, both in themselves and in their peers. They were also encouraged to take advantage of the full range of programs available to help stay engaged and avoid complacency, such as making the time to attend religious services, completing an educational goal, or participating in the "Biggest Loser," Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), or a variety of other physical fitness programs.

"We're all on the same team here," said Seaman Lucas Forcey, stationed aboard amphibious transport ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), who works long hours in the well deck. "If we're not careful and one of us goes down, the rest of us have to make up for the slack and it makes it much more difficult to be prepared."

Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and Whidbey Island are supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Mesa Verde is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.