Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Deploys

By Lieutenant Patricia Kreuzberger, USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed from Naval Station Norfolk for an eight-month deployment, Feb. 8.

While deployed, the BATARG/22MEU will serve in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet AOR.

BATARG is commanded by Capt. Neil A. Karnes, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6, and is comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va.

"BATARG Sailors and Marines stand ready to accomplish our nation's calling," Karnes said. "After months of extensive training, our Navy and Marine Corps have proven themselves to work together seamlessly."

The 22nd MEU is commanded by Col. William R. Dunn and is comprised of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263; Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its command element.

The BATARG/22 MEU team will provide combatant commanders a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of the nation's maritime strategy.