A behind the scenes look at the USS Bataan

Summary

ABC provides an exclusive look into the journey of the USS Baton, a Norfolk-based amphibious assault warship, as it heads to New York City for the 36th annual Fleet Week. Carrying 1400 sailors and marines, the ship features a well deck for deploying landing crafts and has played a significant role in overseas operations, such as tracking and reporting in the Red Sea. Captain Burkhart, a New York native, reflects on his crew's excellence and the significance of this port visit, which will also mark his retirement and change of command ceremony.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The 36th annual Fleet Week is being celebrated in New York City with local sailors in attendance.
• 🚢 ABC joined the Norfolk-based USS Baton Rouge on its journey to Manhattan, providing an inside look at the experience.
• 🌅 The trip to Fleet Week begins with a beautiful sunrise and is followed by weapons training for the crew.
• 🛳 The USS Baton Rouge is an amphibious assault warship that carries 1400 sailors and marines and features small, cozy compartments.
• 🚤 The ship has a well deck that houses an LC (landing craft) air cushion, which can transport vehicles and personnel during deployments.
• 🚨 The USS Baton Rouge plays a critical role in the US military presence overseas, especially in areas with escalating tensions like the Middle East.
• 📍 The ship was previously stationed in the northern part of the Red Sea, where it tracked, reported, and served as a secondary line of defense.
• 👩‍🚀 Captain Burkhart speaks highly of his crew, describing them as one of the best he's had, and they are dedicated to their tasks.
• 🍽 During 'chow time,' the crew takes the opportunity to relax and get to know each other better.
• 🕒 One of the challenges of deployment mentioned by the crew is the demanding working hours, which can be physically taxing.
• 🎉 Some crew members have previously experienced Fleet Week in New York and found it to be an exciting and memorable event.
• 🎖️ Captain Burkhart is particularly looking forward to Fleet Week as he will be having his change of command and retirement ceremony, marking his last navy port visit in his home state of New York.

Q & A

What is the 36th annual Fleet Week?

The 36th annual Fleet Week is an event where local sailors gather in New York City, celebrating and showcasing the work of the U.S. Navy.

Which U.S. Navy vessel is featured in the ABC report?

The U.S.S. Baton, a Norfolk-based amphibious assault warship, is featured in the ABC report.

How many sailors and marines does the U.S.S. Baton carry?

The U.S.S. Baton carries approximately 1400 sailors and marines.

What is the purpose of the small compartments on the U.S.S. Baton?

The small compartments on the U.S.S. Baton serve as cozy living quarters for the sailors and marines on board.

What is the significance of the well deck on the U.S.S. Baton?

The well deck on the U.S.S. Baton is crucial for deploying the LC, or landing craft, air cushion, which can transport vehicles and personnel to land during deployments.

What role did the U.S.S. Baton play in the Middle East?

The U.S.S. Baton played a critical role as a secondary line of defense, tracking and reporting in the northern part of the Red Sea amid escalating tensions.

How does the crew on the U.S.S. Baton utilize the LC, air cushion for various missions?

The crew uses the LC, air cushion to transport supplies, food, and personnel to and from shore, as well as to evacuate American citizens and deliver medical supplies when necessary.

What is the hardest part about deployment for the sailors, according to the script?

The hardest part about deployment for the sailors is the long working hours, which can be physically demanding on the body.

Has anyone on the U.S.S. Baton crew been to Fleet Week in New York before?

Yes, some crew members have been to Fleet Week in New York before, describing the experience as 'crazy'.

What makes this Fleet Week special for Captain Burkhart?

This Fleet Week is special for Captain Burkhart because it will be his last navy port visit as he is retiring and having his change of command ceremony.

What is Captain Burkhart's connection to New York?

Captain Burkhart has a strong connection to New York as he is originally from the state, having been born in Little Falls and growing up near Rochester and Buffalo.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 Fleet Week Celebrations and Life Aboard USS Baton

The script begins with a focus on the 36th annual Fleet Week in New York City, where local sailors are visiting. ABC provides an exclusive look at the journey of the Norfolk-based USS Baton, an amphibious assault warship carrying 1400 sailors and marines. The narrative takes us through the ship's small but cozy compartments and up to the deck, where the day starts with a sunrise and weapons training. The USS Baton is equipped with a well deck that houses an LC (landing craft) air cushion, a ship within a ship, which can transport vehicles and personnel during deployments. This capability has made the Baton a critical US presence overseas, especially in the Middle East, where it has been involved in tracking, reporting, and providing a secondary line of defense. The crew is highlighted as being one of the best, with a strong sense of pride and dedication. During chow time, the script delves into the personal experiences of the sailors, discussing the challenges of deployment, such as the demanding work hours. The segment ends with a personal note from Captain Burkhart, who is set to retire and have his change of command during this Fleet Week, making his return to New York particularly special as he hails from the state.

Keywords

💡Fleet Week

Fleet Week is an annual event that celebrates the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard by bringing active military ships into a major city for public visitation. In the context of the video, it is the 36th annual Fleet Week taking place in New York City, where local sailors are participating and the USS Baton, an amphibious assault warship, is featured.

💡Norfolk

Norfolk is a city in the state of Virginia, known for being home to the largest naval base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. The script mentions that the USS Baton is based in Norfolk, indicating its origin and the starting point of its journey to Manhattan for Fleet Week.

💡Amphibious Assault Warship

An amphibious assault warship is a type of naval vessel designed to support amphibious operations, which involve landing troops and equipment on foreign shores. The USS Baton, carrying 1400 sailors and marines, is an example of such a vessel, highlighting its role in military deployments.

💡LC or Landing Craft

LC stands for 'Landing Craft,' which is a type of naval vessel used to transport troops and equipment from a ship to shore. The script describes the USS Baton's well deck, where an 'LC' or landing craft, specifically an 'air cushion' version, can be loaded to transport vehicles and personnel during deployments.

💡Deployment

Deployment refers to the act of sending military forces to a particular location for a specific mission or operation. The script mentions the USS Baton's deployment in the northern part of the Red Sea, where it served as a secondary line of defense and performed tracking and reporting duties.

💡Crew

In the context of a naval vessel, the crew refers to all the personnel on board, including sailors and marines. The captain of the USS Baton expresses pride in his crew, describing them as 'fabulous' and highlighting their dedication and hard work.

💡Change of Command

A change of command is a military ceremony that marks the transfer of authority from one commanding officer to another. The script reveals that Captain Burkhart will have his change of command during Fleet Week, which is also significant as it coincides with his retirement.

💡Red Sea

The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The script mentions that the USS Baton was deployed to the northern part of the Red Sea, indicating the strategic location and the geopolitical tensions in the region that the ship was involved in.

💡Chow Time

Chow time is a colloquial term for mealtime, particularly in military contexts. In the script, chow time is used as an opportunity for the crew to relax and socialize, which is essential for morale and camaraderie during long deployments.

💡New York

New York is both a city and a state in the United States. In the script, New York City is the destination for Fleet Week, where the USS Baton and its crew are visiting. Additionally, Captain Burkhart has personal ties to New York, as he was born in Little Falls and grew up near Rochester and Buffalo.

💡Retirement

Retirement in a military context refers to the end of a service member's active duty career. Captain Burkhart's retirement is a significant event in the script, as it is marked by his final navy port visit during Fleet Week in his home state of New York.

Highlights

Local sailors are in New York City for the 36th annual Fleet Week.

ABC spent the night with the Norfolk-based USS Baton Rouge on its trip to Manhattan.

The USS Baton Rouge is an amphibious assault warship carrying 1400 sailors and marines.

The ship has small compartments, described as cozy.

The day on the ship starts with a stunning sunrise and weapons training.

The USS Baton Rouge features a 'well deck' for deploying the LC, or landing craft.

The landing craft can transport vehicles and personnel to land during deployments.

The ship can be used for bringing food, supplies, and medical supplies, or for evacuating American citizens.

The USS Baton Rouge played a critical role in the US presence overseas amid Middle East tensions.

The ship was stationed in the northern part of the Red Sea for tracking and reporting as a secondary line of defense.

Captain Burkhart speaks highly of his crew, describing them as one of the best he's had.

Chow time on the ship is used to get to know the crew.

One crew member mentions the hardest part of deployment is the working hours and the physical strain.

Some crew members have previously participated in Fleet Week in New York and found it to be a crazy experience.

For Captain Burkhart, this Fleet Week in New York is extra special as it coincides with his change of command and retirement.

Captain Burkhart is a New York native, with family coming to see him during this visit.

This is Captain Burkhart's last navy port visit ever.

Transcripts

Local sailors are in New York City for the 36th annual Fleet Week.

Yeah. ABC spent the night with Norfolk based us S Baton on its trip to Manhattan.

Sam. Champion gives us an inside look.

We are well on our way

heading up to

fleet

week, New York,

an amphibious assault warship carrying 1400 sailors and marines.

We have very small compartments but I like to think of it as cozy

and you climb right on up.

This day starts with a stunning sunrise

and weapons training.

The baton super power,

what's called the well deck where this LC

or landing craft,

air cushion a ship within a ship can

transport vehicles and personnel to land during deployments.

We either load her up and send her to the shore or

we load her up on the shore and bring her to ba

to bring food and supplies or to bring back

American citizens from places but also medical supplies.

It's also part of what made the Baton a

critical us presence overseas amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

So we ended up going up into the northern part of the Red Sea and we were just up there,

tracking and reporting and being a secondary line of defense.

Tell me about your crew. You got to be proud of them. Oh,

this crews are fabulous. This is probably one of the best crews I've had.

They really get after things

chicken is that you,

we take chow time to get to know some of the crew. Is this all right. Can I join?

What's the hardest part about deployment?

The hardest part for me deployment is just the working hours.

It is kind of hard on the body. Has anybody been in fleet week in New York before?

Is it

sir? You have? Yes, sir. And what was it did you like?

Tell, tell me the experience.

It was crazy.

Thank

you.

Right.

It's a destination. That means something extra special to Captain Burkhart.

I'll have my change of command and that's also gonna be my retirement. So this is

my last navy port visit ever. I'm from New York.

I was born in Little Falls, New York, grew up near Rochester and Buffalo, New York.

I've got family that's gonna be coming to see me here in New York.

It's a pretty exciting.