USS Bataan … supporting marines ashore - Bataan Amphibious Ready Group

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, May-June, 2003 by Bill Hayes, Kerry Stephens

Background

USS Bataan deployed on Sept. 19 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), which included the USS Shreveport and USS Whidbey Island remained in the Mediterranean until mid-October 2001 when it was directed to proceed to the North Arabian Sea to support tasking in Afghanistan and arrived on station on Nov. 21.

Harriers from VMA-223 immediately began flying strikes and Marines of the 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC) made preparations to go ashore.

By late November the Marines established a presence and set up an operating base at an air field in Pasni, Pakistan, which was close to the LCAC landing zone. This enabled personnel and cargo moves to be both LCACed and flown by helicoptor into Pasni for further transfer to Afghanistan via C-130.

The Marines, along with Marines of the 15th MEU (SOC) from the USS Peleliu ARG; proceeded to take over an airstrip in southern Afghanistan, which was called Camp Rhino and became the launching point for the raids that later took Kandahar Airport, a valuable base that was used extensively by the Russians in the 1980s.

Kandahar is over 400 miles from the coast of Pakistan and much further inland than Marines are normally supported, and became the staging point for raids against the Taliban in Southern Afghanistan.

Helicoptors of the 26 MEU (SOC) Air Combat Element (ACE) were based there as well as infantry Marines of Battalian Landing Team (BLT) 3/6.

The logistics support became very challenging, as all food, water, ammunition, and spare parts for the Marine vehicles and helicopters had to be transferred from the ships in the ARGs. In mid-January, the Army 101st Airborne started to arrive to relieve the Marines, and the Bataan ARG was reconstituted by mid-February, 2002.

Ras El Tin, Egypt

BATARG participated in Operation Bright Star in October, 2001. This exercise consisted of various amphibious exercises near Alexandria, and included several allied nations. A Navy Detachment of CTF-150 was camped at Ras El Tin, which was on the coast near the Egyptian Naval Headquarters in Alexandria.

Approximately 80 naval personnel had worked for over two months in preparation and support of the exercise. CAPT Bill Sherman, the CTF-150 N3, visited Bataan during the exercise and asked the CO, CAPT Marty Allard, if Bataan could provide a hot meal to the Sailors ashore. CDR Bob Monette, then Supply Officer, and Food Service Officer CW02 Kerry Stephens, responded with a plan that involved a cookout with steaks, crab legs, baked potatoes, and fresh baked cookies. Everything to support this meal was provided by Bataan except a 55 gallon drum, which was located ashore and cut in half by the SeaBees to serve as the grill.

A CH-53 from HM-14 picked up the crew during a regularly scheduled PMC run. The team included the SUPPO; FSO; ASUPPO, LCDR Bill Hayes; and LTJG Mark Bowmer, as well as SH2 Ledrick Lackey to provide barber services.

Other than the initial struggle to get the charcoal going, the meal turned out to be a huge success. As darkness fell halogen lights were brought out to illuminate the chow line, and the meal continued through 2000.

A talent show followed in the mess tent. The team spent the night in a tent at the camp and returned the following day by helicopter to Bataan. This mission set the stage for what was to come in the following months.

Pasni, Pakistan: The Gator-Aide

On Dec. 13, the Marine element controlling the Pasni operating base requested that some basic ships store items, such as toiletries, cigarettes, and gee-dunk, be delivered to Pasni for the Marines to purchase. ENS Amy McGowan, Bataan's Sales Officer, delivered a pallet of items via an H-46 run, sold everything, and returned the following day.

After some discussion both internally and with the Marines, it was decided that a permanent ships store presence in Pasni would be desirable. There were no showers, no cooking facilities, and the quality of life could have used some improvement.

On Dec. 20, LCDR Hayes and four Supply Department personnel commissioned the "Gator-Aide" store. It was located in an old hangar, and a tent with sides was erected to provide a small level of security. Items available for purchase included cigarettes, gee-dunk, and toiletries. The store team slept on cots inside the hangar and ate MREs with the Marines.

After the initial team got up and running, a rotation was devised among Supply Department volunteers to operate the store. The teams operated on shifts of 5-7 days, and always included a khaki to ensure proper oversight. Replenishment occurred three times per week via LCAC from Bataan and then convoy during darkness from the beach to the air base. This store remained in operation until the Marines began to reconstitute to the ARG in early February 2002.

Kandahar, Afghanistan: The Oasis

As the Pasni operation came to fruition, it was decided amongst the command element to take the concept a step further and establish a store presence in Kandahar, as well as provide limited messing support.