Bataan Shines Through ULTRA-E

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erin Boyce, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) earned their engineering operational certification Oct. 6 during a Unit Level Training Assessment, Engineering (ULTRA-E).

Afloat Training Group (ATG) Mid-Atlantic conducted the biannual assessment, evaluating the ship's capability to self-assess and train the crew in a variety of engineering programs and casualty control proficiencies.

"The whole ship participates in ULTRA-E, with the [electrical] tag-out program, hearing conservation, and heat stress programs," said Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW) Angel Delacruz, leading chief petty officer for Bataan's aft main machinery room. "For engineering specific, they examine programs like lube oil quality management and fuel quality management."

ATG spent a total of four days ensuring each engineering program, space and capability was up to par and that each watchstander was knowledgeable and ready to perform, regardless of conditions.

"This gave us the tools and experience we need to be able to respond to real life scenarios," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Antonio Lewis, Bataan's assistant oil king. "Whether it's fire or flooding, we can make sure the ship is battle ready."

ULTRA-E success meant extensive preparations and hard work from the crew. Bataan has been preparing for the assessment since leaving BAE Systems' Norfolk Ship Repair in August.

"We have been burning strong for a good month of steaming, running drills every day," said Delacruz.

For many of Bataan's junior Sailors, it was their first opportunity to witness an ULTRA-E and the amount of work and dedication it takes from everyone involved.

"The junior engineers really learn what it means to be an engineer because of all the preparations it takes to be successful in a certification," said Delacruz. "This is a great opportunity for them to learn that. The senior engineers are given the chance to sharpen up skills at being leaders. We all get to see how much effort and sacrifice it takes for us to get there."

Prior to ULTRA-E, Bataan completed air and amphibious warfare certifications as part of a basic training phase. The ship will continue through its certification and training cycle until fully qualifying for deployment.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.