U.S. Fleet Forces Command
09/21/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/21/2022 12:29
USS Bataan Celebrates 25th Birthday
USS Bataan Celebrates 25th Birthday
by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW/IW) Barry Riley
21 September 2022
SLIDESHOW | 5 images | 220925-N-LZ839-1295 220925-N-LZ839-1295 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) A plank owner reminisces at his old fueling station on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) after Bataan's 25th birthday ceremony, Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
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220925-N-LZ839-1295 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) A plank owner reminisces at his old fueling station on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) after Bataan's 25th birthday ceremony, Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
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220925-N-LZ839-1234 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Murphy III (Middle), Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Apprentice Erick Washington (Right) and Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Archie Pahati participate in a ceremonial cake cutting during Bataan's 25th birthday celebration, Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
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220925-N-LZ839-1269 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) Plank owners pose for a photo after the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) 25th birthday celebration Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
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220925-N-LZ839-1133 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) Retired Force Master Chief Bob Conklin, a former command master chief of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), gives a speech during the ship's 25th birthday celebration, Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
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220925-N-LZ839-1098 NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 20, 2022) Aviation Ordinanceman 2nd Class Brittany Simpson, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), sings the National Anthem during the ship's 25th birthday celebration, Sept. 20, 2022. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Darren Newell)
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - The crew of USS Bataan (LHD 5) celebrated the ship's 25th birthday during a ceremony onboard the ship at Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 20.
More than 50 original plank owners and maiden voyagers attended the ceremony in which the ship's second command master chief, retired Force Master Chief Bob Conklin, as well as current Commanding Officer, Capt. Joseph Murphy III, delivered remarks.
"I am beyond proud to be the 18th commanding officer of this amazing team and I am grateful to be a part of the proud history of this ship and her namesake," said Murphy. "Today is more than just an acknowledgement of the ship's commissioning. It's a time to honor the ship's past, and prepare for her future."
Guests who attended the ceremony were also treated to a video presentation by the ship's media department, a ceremonial cake cutting, and ship tours following the ceremony.
Bataan, a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, carries more than 2,500 Sailors and Marines when fully embarked, and is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class small aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.
The ship made its maiden voyage deploying to the Mediterranean in 2000. Most recently, the ship completed 152 consecutive days at sea during a seven-month deployment to 5th and 6th fleet, operating during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about Bataan, visit the ship's website at https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/lhd5.