USS Bataan (LHD 5)

• Namesake: USS Bataan (LHD 5) is named in honor of the heroic defense of the Bataan Peninsula during World War II, where American and Filipino forces fought valiantly against overwhelming Japanese forces. • Commissioning: USS Bataan was commissioned on September 20, 1997, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. • Ship Type: Bataan is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, capable of carrying Marines, helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22 Osprey), and landing craft for amphibious operations. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship played a crucial role in humanitarian relief after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing medical care, food, and water to New Orleans residents. • Operation Enduring Freedom: In 2001, Bataan was one of the first U.S. Navy ships to deploy in response to the September 11 attacks, supporting operations in Afghanistan. • Sailor Superlatives: The ship can accommodate more than 3,000 sailors and Marines, making it one of the largest amphibious warships in the world. • Medical Facility: USS Bataan boasts a 600-bed hospital, complete with operating rooms, intensive care units, and dental facilities, rivaling many land-based medical centers. • Aviation Capabilities: The ship’s flight deck can operate up to 42 aircraft, including helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey, greatly enhancing rapid deployment capabilities. • Libyan Operations: In 2011, Bataan participated in Operation Odyssey Dawn, supporting NATO's mission to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. • Legacy Connection: This is the second U.S. Navy ship named Bataan — the first was CVL-29, a light aircraft carrier that served in World War II and the Korean War.