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Royal Navy Tanker Provides Replenishment For Bataan
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.
For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.
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