USS Bataan's sailors prove ready once again

USS BATAAN, AT SEA

10.24.2013

Courtesy Story

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas Frank Cottone
USS Bataan

ATLANTIC OCEAN – Fire Controlmen aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) completed a final test of the ship’s Rolling Airframe Missile system (RAM) Oct. 21, preparing Bataan for a multi-ship firing exercise Oct. 22.

"Bataan will be partaking in the multi-ship exercise because U.S. Fleet Forces Command requires that pre-deploying units conduct multi-ship missile exercises," said Senior Chief Fire Controlman Heather Barrow from Owensville, Miss., the combat systems maintenance manager aboard Bataan.

“It’s important that we verify the system operability prior to deploying to a potentially hostile Fifth Fleet area of responsibility,” said Barrow. “We need to guarantee that we have the capability to put ordnance on target at any time.”

Four other ships participated with Bataan during the exercise: USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

Gunston Hall and Mesa Verde both fired RAM missiles with armed warheads while Donald Cook and Nitze had telemetry missiles that were fired for testing purposes only.

The RIM-116 RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick response, fire-and-forget missile designed to destroy anti-ship cruise missiles and asymmetric air and surface threats. It was designed as an all-weather, high-firepower, low-cost, self-defense system missile and is fully operational on more than 100 U.S. Navy ships ranging from fast patrol boats to aircraft carriers.

"Being able to safely and efficiently detect, track and engage a target is why the system was put on Bataan," said Barrow. "It is important that we test the systems before deployment because data recorded during the mission will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the system and how efficient the watch team was during the exercise,"

With two underway exercises ahead, Bataan’s sailors and Marines are one step closer to being able to protect its assets during the upcoming deployment.

“Bataan’s sailors and Marines have put this ship through the paces daily, proving the ship and crew’s readiness for our upcoming deployment,” said Bataan’s Commanding Officer, Capt. George J. Vassilakis. “Our upcoming exercises will culminate a year of extreme hard work and dedication from a great team.”

• Date Taken: 10.24.2013
• Date Posted: 10.24.2013 13:02
• Story ID: 115663
• Location: USS BATAAN, AT SEA