San Diego Receives Second Straight Battle 'E'

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS150321-02
Release Date: 3/21/2015 8:48:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph M. Buliavac, USS San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) was awarded the Battle Effectiveness (Battle 'E') Award for Naval Surface Forces March 17, marking the second consecutive year San Diego has earned the award.

San Diego was nominated by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Five and was selected for her performance in operational environments as well as her achievements during all certifications and qualifications conducted throughout 2014.

'While it is a great testament to the pride and professionalism displayed daily by the blue-green team on San Diego; I feel like Comstock and Makin Island deserve recognition,' said San Diego Commanding Officer Capt. John Menoni, referring to the other ships in the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). 'Without their support and teamwork before, during and after our maiden deployment, San Diego would not have been as successful or as able to perform the wide variety of missions it was tasked.'

The award represents the combined effort of all San Diego's personnel during 2014. In recognition of their achievement, the crew is now authorized to wear the Battle 'E' ribbon and insignia.

'I couldn't be more proud of the crew,' said San Diego Command Master Chief Kenneth Robertson. 'It's not a testament to what the CO, XO or I did; we had no part in it. It's those deck seamen and others that are out there standing the watch, doing the hard work, making it happen that has put us where we are right now.'

The Battle 'E' is awarded annually to ships and crews that display the highest condition of departmental readiness within their group, and recognizes their capability to be battle-ready and to carry out any required mission task.

'Just winning one Battle 'E' is recognition to all the hard work that everybody does on board, but to accomplish two back-to-back is a testament to everyone's dedication to teamwork, dedication to themselves, and to the commitment for excellence,' said Robertson.

In addition to the Battle 'E', San Diego also won the Red 'E' for Engineering/Survivability Excellence, the Blue 'E' for Logistics Management Excellence and the Yellow 'E' for Ship Safety Excellence. This marks the 2nd consecutive year San Diego also earned these awards. San Diego was also awarded the Green 'E' for Command, Control, Communications and Information Warfare Excellence in 2014.

San Diego is currently moored pier side at its homeport of San Diego preparing for an extended maintenance availability period after completing its seven-month, 41,000 nautical mile maiden deployment on February 25 as part of the Makin Island ARG.