The U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, the honorable Timothy Davis, and different company, noticed flight operations from Vulture’s Row; headed under decks to the Hangar Bay to speak with material consultants about Marine Corps aviation capabilities; visited the properly deck for a walk-through of a touchdown craft, utility (LCU); and paid a go to to the ship’s medical amenities.
He mentioned the go to gave him a brand new appreciation for the forces working every single day to keep up regional stability and the free stream of commerce in these important waterways.
“The work these Sailors and Marines have been doing right here is completely astounding,” he mentioned. “The extent of professionalism on show leaves little doubt they’ve the facility to make a optimistic distinction within the area.”
USS Bataan and the dock touchdown ship USS Carter Corridor (LSD 50) arrived within the Center East Aug. 6. Bataan ARG/twenty sixth MEU items convey to the area further aviation and naval property, in addition to extra U.S. Marines and Sailors, offering larger flexibility and maritime functionality to U.S. fifth Fleet.
An amphibious assault ship can carry greater than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing plane, together with MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor plane and AV-8B Harrier assault jets along with a number of amphibious touchdown craft. A dock touchdown ship additionally helps operations for numerous rotary-wing plane, tactical autos and amphibious touchdown craft.
The Bataan ARG departed Norfolk, Virginia, on July 10 with Amphibious Squadron 8, Fleet Surgical Staff 8, Tactical Air Management Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 4, Seaside Grasp Unit 2 and the twenty sixth MEU.
The twenty sixth MEU, based mostly in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is able to conducting amphibious missions, disaster response and restricted contingency operations to incorporate enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated particular operations.
The U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations encompasses roughly 2.5 million sq. miles of water house and contains the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Crimson Sea, elements of the Indian Ocean and three crucial choke factors on the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.
