June 7, 2011
Release No. 11-35
Bataan Partners with Longtime U.S. Allies for Well Deck Certification
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Turner, USS Bataan Public Affairs
USS BATAAN, Mediterranean Sea–Sailors and Marines aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) embarked aboard FS Tonnerre (L9014) June 7 to assist the crew of the French amphibious assault ship with their successful well-deck certification while both ships were conducting operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Bataan employed a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and sent a team of subject matter experts in amphibious operations to work side-by-side their French counterparts.
The certification will provide Tonnerre with additional flexibility during their support to NATO-led Operation Unified Protector.
“This is a very beneficial capability to have for NATO,” said Captain Philippe Ebanga, Tonnerre’s commanding officer. “The French does not own LCACs, so the U.S. Navy is the only organization that is capable of providing us with a certification.”
This is Tonnerre’s first recertification since receiving an initial certification just after she was delivered to the French fleet five years ago. The certification expires every two years.
“The certification performed aboard Tonnerre is the same process done on any amphibious assault U.S. Navy vessel,” said Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) Wes Mason, officer in charge of the ACU-4 detachment operating from Bataan.
The certification is a two-part process. The fist piece is the technical certification, which is typically done while the ship is in port, and involves thorough inspections of the well prior to at-sea operations. Bataan provided assistance with the second part, which includes successfully launching, recovering and refueling LCACs during day and night operations.
The Tonnerre crew executed a detailed checklist during LCAC operations that included everything from their ability to communicate with one and other and the craft, to displaying proper level of knowledge in LCAC operations, to maintaining the necessary equipment.
“In order to certify a ship’s well deck during the second portion, we have to make sure they have enough qualified personnel to conduct LCAC operations,” said Mason. “We have to ensure everything from knowing proper hand signaling, to knowing how to properly refuel an LCAC.”
Sailors and Marines from Bataan spent eight hours aboard Tonnerre working with the French Sailors.
“Overall it was a successful mission,” said Mason.” I think it was a great experience for all of us. Everyone did an outstanding job, and it was good training for the U.S. Navy, the French navy, as well as both ships.”
Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
For more news from USS Bataan, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.
The US Navy well deck certification last for two years. This is the second time the Tonnerre has undergone the certification process.
“The French does not own LCACs, so the US Navy is the only organization that is capable of providing us with a certification,” said Philippe Ebanga, Captain of the BPC Tonnerre L9014
“This is a very beneficial capability to have NATO especially or any Coalition for doing combined operations.” Philippe Ebanga
Captain of the BPC Tonnerre L9014
“The Bataan is providing it’s expertise certify the Tonnerre is capable of performing LCAC operations on this platform.”
Philippe Ebanga
Captain of the BPC Tonnerre L9014
“The certification of our well decks for use of LCACs involves two different parts. The first part is a technical certification which usually done while in port. It includes a thorough check of the well deck before we do at sea operations. The second part is done while at sea, that is where the US Navy brings over the LCACs and actually performs well deck operations on our platform.”
“The certification was done by the US Navy initially right after the ship was finished being built, and the whole process has to be redone every two years to maintain readiness for both the Tonnerre and the US Navy LCAC operators.”
“The hardest part of the certification is to find an open window for both the US Navy and the Tonnerre to be able to fly LCACs over to be able to complete the certification process.”
“The US Navy is the only organization that is able to provide us a certification.”
“We do the certification so that we will be prepared in case we ever do a combined operation.”“The French doen’t own LCACs, This is a capability that we put into NATO especially or any Coalition for doing combined operations.”
“The Bataan is providing it’s expertise certify the Tonnerre is capable of performing LCAC operations on this platform.”
“The certification benefits the US Navy, The French Navy, the Bataan, and the Tonnerre.”
“I went to the US Navy War college in Newport Road Island”
“ I have been assigned to second fleet before and I have been Embarked on the Bataan and the Ewo.”
“I would like to thank the Bataan, ARG and the Phibron and the US Navy on behalf of the French Navy.”
Wes Mason
CWO3
LCAC detachment OIC
“This was my first time certifying a foreign Vessel’s well deck, and it went very well. “They performed like they have been doing LCAC operations on a daily basis.”
“They have the same evolutions as us in order to certify a well deck.”
“Four months ago Naval Beach group two sent a small certification group to France to do the in port portion of the certification.”
“It is normally a two to three day process.”
“We make sure that they know all of the proper hand signaling and they have enough qualified personnel to do it. Make sure the ventilation works. We bring in the LCACs and make sure they know how to properly refuel an LCAC, cargo handling, drive on and off. Make sure the fueling system is capable of delivering fuel to us, make sure that it is sufficient quality and Communications with the LCAC well deck control and the bridge.
“They don’t get the opportunity to do LCAC operations very often so the crew has to train theirself by video or whatever.”
“Everybody envolved had a great experience. It was good training”