Deputy Commander of NAVCENT visits USS Bataan in Bahrain

KHALIFA BIN SALMON PORT, BAHRAIN

02.18.2020

Story by Lt. Seth Koenig 

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

KHALIFA BIN SALMON PORT, Bahrain – Rear Adm. Curtis Renshaw, deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), visited the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during the ships port visit to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain.
Bataan is the flagship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which also includes the amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).
“It was a tremendous opportunity while in Bahrain to have Rear Adm. Renshaw aboard Bataan,” said Capt. Lance Lesher, commodore of the ARG. “We were able to share with the admiral all the hard work our Sailors and Marines are putting into this deployment, to be the premier crisis response team for NAVCENT, and give him a firsthand look at the capabilities on this great ship. We look forward to continuing to serve the NAVCENT team as we promote stability and freedom of navigation in this region.”
While onboard, Renshaw met with the leadership of the Bataan, amphibious ready group and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and spoke to subject matter experts in the ship’s medical facilities and on the flight deck.
“Hosting Rear Adm. Renshaw onboard Big 5 was a great experience,” said Capt. Greg Leland, commanding officer of the Bataan. “We were able to display our capabilities and our highly trained, qualified, and experienced blue-green force. We are committed to supporting NAVCENT's mission, and a prosperous maritime environment critical to the vitality of nations here in the Gulf and elsewhere in the region."
The Bataan ARG and 26th MEU are operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, which encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse includes 20 nations and three critical choke points for global commerce, at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

• Date Taken: 02.18.2020
• Date Posted: 02.24.2020 03:30
• Story ID: 363700
• Location: KHALIFA BIN SALMON PORT, BH