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USS Bataan deployed on Sept. 19 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), which included the USS Shreveport and USS Whidbey Island remained in the Mediterranean until mid-October 2001 when it was directed to proceed to the North Arabian Sea to support tasking in Afghanistan and arrived on station on Nov. 21.

Harriers from VMA-223 immediately began flying strikes and Marines of the 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC) made preparations to go ashore.

By late November the Marines established a presence and set up an operating base at an air field in Pasni, Pakistan, which was close to the LCAC landing zone. This enabled personnel and cargo moves to be both LCACed and flown by helicoptor into Pasni for further transfer to Afghanistan via C-130.

The Marines, along with Marines of the 15th MEU (SOC) from the USS Peleliu ARG; proceeded to take over an airstrip in southern Afghanistan, which was called Camp Rhino and became the launching point for the raids that later took Kandahar Airport, a valuable base that was used extensively by the Russians in the 1980s.

Kandahar is over 400 miles from the coast of Pakistan and much further inland than Marines are normally supported, and became the staging point for raids against the Taliban in Southern Afghanistan.

Helicoptors of the 26 MEU (SOC) Air Combat Element (ACE) were based there as well as infantry Marines of Battalian Landing Team (BLT) 3/6.

The logistics support became very challenging, as all food, water, ammunition, and spare parts for the Marine vehicles and helicopters had to be transferred from the ships in the ARGs. In mid-January, the Army 101st Airborne started to arrive to relieve the Marines, and the Bataan ARG was reconstituted by mid-February, 2002.

Ras El Tin, Egypt

BATARG participated in Operation Bright Star in October, 2001. This exercise consisted of various amphibious exercises near Alexandria, and included several allied nations. A Navy Detachment of CTF-150 was camped at Ras El Tin, which was on the coast near the Egyptian Naval Headquarters in Alexandria.

Approximately 80 naval personnel had worked for over two months in preparation and support of the exercise. CAPT Bill Sherman, the CTF-150 N3, visited Bataan during the exercise and asked the CO, CAPT Marty Allard, if Bataan could provide a hot meal to the Sailors ashore. CDR Bob Monette, then Supply Officer, and Food Service Officer CW02 Kerry Stephens, responded with a plan that involved a cookout with steaks, crab legs, baked potatoes, and fresh baked cookies. Everything to support this meal was provided by Bataan except a 55 gallon drum, which was located ashore and cut in half by the SeaBees to serve as the grill.

A CH-53 from HM-14 picked up the crew during a regularly scheduled PMC run. The team included the SUPPO; FSO; ASUPPO, LCDR Bill Hayes; and LTJG Mark Bowmer, as well as SH2 Ledrick Lackey to provide barber services.

Other than the initial struggle to get the charcoal going, the meal turned out to be a huge success. As darkness fell halogen lights were brought out to illuminate the chow line, and the meal continued through 2000.

A talent show followed in the mess tent. The team spent the night in a tent at the camp and returned the following day by helicopter to Bataan. This mission set the stage for what was to come in the following months.

Pasni, Pakistan: The Gator-Aide

On Dec. 13, the Marine element controlling the Pasni operating base requested that some basic ships store items, such as toiletries, cigarettes, and gee-dunk, be delivered to Pasni for the Marines to purchase. ENS Amy McGowan, Bataan's Sales Officer, delivered a pallet of items via an H-46 run, sold everything, and returned the following day.

After some discussion both internally and with the Marines, it was decided that a permanent ships store presence in Pasni would be desirable. There were no showers, no cooking facilities, and the quality of life could have used some improvement.

On Dec. 20, LCDR Hayes and four Supply Department personnel commissioned the "Gator-Aide" store. It was located in an old hangar, and a tent with sides was erected to provide a small level of security. Items available for purchase included cigarettes, gee-dunk, and toiletries. The store team slept on cots inside the hangar and ate MREs with the Marines.

After the initial team got up and running, a rotation was devised among Supply Department volunteers to operate the store. The teams operated on shifts of 5-7 days, and always included a khaki to ensure proper oversight. Replenishment occurred three times per week via LCAC from Bataan and then convoy during darkness from the beach to the air base. This store remained in operation until the Marines began to reconstitute to the ARG in early February 2002.

Kandahar, Afghanistan: The Oasis

As the Pasni operation came to fruition, it was decided amongst the command element to take the concept a step further and establish a store presence in Kandahar, as well as provide limited messing support.

Not only was Kandahar a remote outpost, there was limited opportunity for logistics support and the environment was much more hostile than Pasni. Temperatures dropped into the low 30s at night and only reached the 50s during the day. Living conditions were very primitive, although the Marines established their field mess. Meals were limited to MREs, but due to the cold weather an effort was made to provide some level of "hot wets," which could be soup, broth, coffee, or tea, around the clock.

Since the base perimeter was only a few hundred yards from the airport terminal, security was essential, and all Marines and Sailors carried weapons and wore flak jackets at all times when outside of the terminal. The initial Taliban and Al Qaeda detainee collection site was established at Kandahar in late December, which increased the potential for Taliban attacks on the airport; this in fact occurred the night of Jan. 10, 2002.

By Christmas time, Marine mail had built up and delivery to Kandahar would be a key quality of life enhancer, so the initial Oasis set-up included the store itself, messing support to augment the field mess, as well as mail delivery.

On Dec. 22 the team, led by CDR Monette and including PC1 (SW/AW) Drew Hendley, PC3 Dan Demonia and SH2 Lackey, left Bataan via LCAC and caught a C-130 from Pasni to Kandahar, via Tora Bora. They finally arrived on Christmas Eve, after 48 hours in transit. The mail delivery was highly appreciated, as was the establishment of the ships store. The initial load consisted of approximately 15 pallets of food and ships store material.

Brig. Gen. Mattis, USMC, CTF-58, was the Commanding General of the base at Kandahar during this period, and was a huge supporter of the Bataan crew's efforts. A highlight of the early days was General Mattis' reenlistment of PC3 Demonia in front of the Kandahar Airport Terminal on Dec 28. After approximately ten days the original team was relieved by the second team, consisting of LCDR Hayes and CW02 Stephens. SH2 Lackey remained in Kandahar for the duration, which ended up being five weeks.

The store was established in a corner of the terminal, which used to be the lunch counter for the small cafeteria. A plywood countertop was quickly installed, and a sign saying "USS BATAAN THE OASIS" was hung and covered the length of the counter. The OASIS remained open 12 hours per day seven days a week, with hours from 0800-2000.

The population of U.S. DoD and allied coalition forces rapidly increased, and by mid-January there were 3,500 personnel in and around Kandahar. There was no shortage of customers.

The Marine disbursing officer made periodic visits so cash was never a problem for the Marines. Change became an issue, so candy bars quickly sold 5 for $2 versus 40 cents a piece, and Bazooka bubble gum quickly took the place of nickels. Fast sellers included tuna lunches, potato chips, cigarettes, smokeless tobaccos, and cigars. Ships emblematics, including insulated coffee mugs and zippo lighters were also hot sellers, although the word quickly got out that we ran out of lighter fluid.

Resupply from Bataan proved to be a challenge. The Marines set up a NIPR network in Kandahar that linked to the satellite so the team leader was able to get an account and email back to the ship the requirements for the next shipment, including tips on what was selling and what was not.

The supply team on the ship would assemble pallets and push ashore to Pasni on whatever the next available mode of transportation was, either LCAC or H-46. The Pasni team would manage the next step of getting the pallets manifested onto a Kandahar flight.

Since the C-130s flew at night, the Kandahar team would walk the flight line at sunrise every day to look for incoming material. Sometimes it took up to five days to complete the transfer, and customers would eagerly await word of delivery. There was no shortage of willing bodies to move the material from the flight line into the terminal and to the store.

In mid-January LT Emery Kutney and SH2 Clint Bembry arrived to continue the operation, and PC1 Hendley returned to help close it down in late January when word was received that the Marines would reconstitute to the ARG. The OASIS proved to be a huge morale booster for all personnel in Kandahar, and was an exciting time for all involved. The store ended up generating over $100,000 in sales for the five-week period.

Kandahar: BLT 3/6 Combat Coffeehouse

On the messing support, initial items pushed to Kandahar included sodas, fresh fruits, and cookies. It quickly became apparent that the demand was for anything that could be hot and wet, so the choices shifted to coffee, instant oatmeal, and soup base.

Soups were very popular, and the Marine cooks of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/6 would deliver directly to the cold Marines in the fighting holes manning the perimeter.

Some condiments (A1 sauce, Heinz 57, ketchup, etc.) made their way to Kandahar from Pasni after the New Years meal, and these were added to the soups to provide a little more flavor. Additionally, flat bread was purchased from vendors in the city and delivered in black garbage bags daily. This became know as Tali Bread and was outstanding when dipped in the soup.

Pasni, Pakistan: Holiday Meals

Based on the experience and lessons learned from Ras El Tin, it was decided to offer hot meals to the Marines manning the Pasni operating base.

Portable grills were quickly constructed by our shipmates in AIMD [Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Division], and the support equipment and provisions were made ready. Eventually, the support came together to provide hot meals on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. A team of cooks volunteered and spent the night in the field on each occasion. The menu consisted of steaks, crab legs, baked potatoes, corn, cookies, and soda. This was greatly appreciated by the 200 Marines in Pasni, who had been eating MREs for 30 days straight at that time.

Summary

Supporting Sailors and Marines ashore is not a normal function of the shipboard supply department, but is a rewarding and challenging experience when the opportunity exists. Over thirty Supply Department personnel of all ratings and ranks participated; all on a volunteer basis. In fact, there were more volunteers than we could accommodate. It is sometimes said that there is friction in the Navy-Marine Corps, or Blue-Green, team on board amphibious ships--these initiatives greatly strengthened the relationship among Sailors of the BATARG and Marines of 26 MEU(SOC).

CDR Bill Hayes was assigned to the Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, Pa., prior to reporting to the Bataan.

CWO2 Kerry Stephens also served as Food Services Officer in USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He was the leading chief petty officer of the Bataan Wardroom before becoming an officer.

Commander Bill Hayes, Assistant Supply Officer, and
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kerry Stephens, Food Service Officer, USS Bataan

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