Hurricane Prep: Bataan Underway

Reported asFleet Commander Orders Bataan Underway:

Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Vice Adm. Mel Williams, Jr., ordered USS Bataan (LHD 5) to get underway Sept. 2, for disaster response if called upon to perform this mission.

"In general, the highest condition of readiness for Navy ships and other capabilities is achieved while underway at sea," said Williams. "Getting USS Bataan underway will provide Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces; Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command; and Commander, U.S. Northern Command, with highly ready Navy capabilities if needed for support during the 2008 hurricane season."

Bataan's underway period is a short-notice, 2nd Fleet readiness at-sea event.

Bataan tech specs here, includes a 600 bed hospital and a command center.