LH-5 USS Bataan

LH-5 USS Bataan is a Wasp class amphibious assault ship, which also acts as a hospital ship. The ship enables the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps team to seamlessly transition from the sea to a land battle, as the lead ship and centerpiece of an Amphibious Ready Group. She is capable of amphibious assault, advance force, and special purpose operations, as well as evacuation and humanitarian assistance.

The photos were made during a visit to the USS Bataan in february 2012. One hour flying from NAS Sigonella in Italy by MV-22Bs, the ship was sailing through the strait of Messina to assist in enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.

On board the USS Wasp were different units under command of VMM-263, consisting of HSC-28, flying the MH-60S, VMA-231 with AV-8B and AV-8+ Harriers, HMLA-167 with AH-1W and UH-1N helicopters and VMM-263 MV-22Bs.