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Bataan's Flight Deck Crew Cleverly Strengthens Professional Skills
Story Number: NNS090716-02
Release Date: 7/16/2009 1:29:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialisty 2nd Class (SW) Stephen Oleksiak, USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS
BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard multipurpose amphibious assault
ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit (MEU) competed July 11 in the Aviation Boatswain's
Mate "AB" Olympics.
Throughout the morning, Sailors tested their strengths and knowledge of
flight-deck equipment in a series of timed and scored events.
"The purpose of the AB Olympics is to build camaraderie amongst the
flight deck crew," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class
(AW/SW) Enrique Gerald from Bronx, N.Y.
"The flight deck is made up of different [aviation] rates, so a lot of
times these guys get caught up in only doing their job. We want them to
experience everybody's job and show teamwork."
During the olympics, five teams from mixed divisions competed in events
based on possible flight-deck casualties -- hose handling, firefighting
and crash and salvage.
"All these events that we did today are things that we do everyday
within our own respective divisions," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate
(Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Brandon Breitberg, a native of Humboldt,
Tenn.
"The more proficient we are at doing that job, the better we are at supporting Bataan's mission."
The AB olympics also provided a brief break from the battle rhythm of
deployment and a chance to highlight the mission-essential jobs Sailors
and Marines perform on a daily basis.
Bataan is serving as the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group
(ARG), conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet
Area of Operations. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard
the ships of the Bataan ARG, is serving as the theater reserve force
for U.S. Central Command.
For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.
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