USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines stationed aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) found different ways to celebrate the holidays while continuing to fulfill their mission Dec. 25.
Bataan is underway in the ninth month of a deployment which began three-and-a-half months early on March 23. The ship is currently in the Gulf of Aden. Bataan has been deployed for nine months and is on track to complete the longest deployment in more than 35 years. Crew members decorated office doors, workspaces, and berthings with holiday decorations. Bataan's commanding officer will award a prize to the division with the most creative decorations.
"After we hung the stockings, built the tree, and built a pretend fireplace, we were able to feel what time of year it is," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class (SW) Randall Howe. "The last thing we hung was a shop photo that we have come to call a family portrait. I guess it's true that Christmas can bring people together, even when you're deployed."
Bataan's Morale, Recreation and Welfare (MWR) program held raffles for Sailors and Marines, with prizes ranging from iPads to a Play Station 3 every day throughout December.
"It's important to bring the holiday spirit to the crew, because it's difficult to be away from home and friends and family during the holidays," said Meghan Heine, MWR coordinator. "Even though we're at sea, it's still the Christmas season. Everyone will be able to say they spent Christmas at sea, and in the future they should be able to look back and say it still felt like the holidays. And there were some similarities and normal holiday things that took place, such as the stockings we passed out to every Sailor and Marine -- all 2,400 of them. We also have Christmas movies playing on the mess decks."
Despite being so far from home and loved ones, MWR also gave Sailors and Marines a variety of ways to spread holiday cheer throughout the ship. Activities included stuffing stockings, making ornaments and Christmas caroling. Some of the ship's departments made special contributions to the crews' holiday season; Supply department's culinary specialists created a huge holiday meal for the crew that included traditional food items such as ham, turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie.
"A lot of hard work went into the meals that the crew enjoyed," said Lt.j.g. Jermaine Seals, Bataan's food service officer. "I felt such a sense of accomplishment when I saw the crew just smiling, laughing, and truly enjoying the meal and each others company."
Bataan's Religious Ministries Department held special holiday services, including a Christmas Eve ecumenical service that featured two ship's musicians leading Sailors and Marines in hymns and carols. The chaplains covered a variety of celebrations from Hanukkah to Christmas. Executive department is also featuring Christmas movies and new movie releases for Bataan to boost the morale of the crew.
"Our extended deployment started early, and it's running long. But through teamwork, this crew and the embarked Marines are finishing strong," said Capt. Erik M. Ross, Bataan's commanding officer. "We are supporting national tasking, and we will continue to do so during the holidays. But it's important to be able to take a few moments to remember our loved ones back home, and to remember why we need to continue to stand the watch at sea."
Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Bataan is underway in the ninth month of a deployment which began three-and-a-half months early on March 23. The ship is currently in the Gulf of Aden. Bataan has been deployed for nine months and is on track to complete the longest deployment in more than 35 years. Crew members decorated office doors, workspaces, and berthings with holiday decorations. Bataan's commanding officer will award a prize to the division with the most creative decorations.
"After we hung the stockings, built the tree, and built a pretend fireplace, we were able to feel what time of year it is," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class (SW) Randall Howe. "The last thing we hung was a shop photo that we have come to call a family portrait. I guess it's true that Christmas can bring people together, even when you're deployed."
Bataan's Morale, Recreation and Welfare (MWR) program held raffles for Sailors and Marines, with prizes ranging from iPads to a Play Station 3 every day throughout December.
"It's important to bring the holiday spirit to the crew, because it's difficult to be away from home and friends and family during the holidays," said Meghan Heine, MWR coordinator. "Even though we're at sea, it's still the Christmas season. Everyone will be able to say they spent Christmas at sea, and in the future they should be able to look back and say it still felt like the holidays. And there were some similarities and normal holiday things that took place, such as the stockings we passed out to every Sailor and Marine -- all 2,400 of them. We also have Christmas movies playing on the mess decks."
Despite being so far from home and loved ones, MWR also gave Sailors and Marines a variety of ways to spread holiday cheer throughout the ship. Activities included stuffing stockings, making ornaments and Christmas caroling. Some of the ship's departments made special contributions to the crews' holiday season; Supply department's culinary specialists created a huge holiday meal for the crew that included traditional food items such as ham, turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie.
"A lot of hard work went into the meals that the crew enjoyed," said Lt.j.g. Jermaine Seals, Bataan's food service officer. "I felt such a sense of accomplishment when I saw the crew just smiling, laughing, and truly enjoying the meal and each others company."
Bataan's Religious Ministries Department held special holiday services, including a Christmas Eve ecumenical service that featured two ship's musicians leading Sailors and Marines in hymns and carols. The chaplains covered a variety of celebrations from Hanukkah to Christmas. Executive department is also featuring Christmas movies and new movie releases for Bataan to boost the morale of the crew.
"Our extended deployment started early, and it's running long. But through teamwork, this crew and the embarked Marines are finishing strong," said Capt. Erik M. Ross, Bataan's commanding officer. "We are supporting national tasking, and we will continue to do so during the holidays. But it's important to be able to take a few moments to remember our loved ones back home, and to remember why we need to continue to stand the watch at sea."
Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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