USS Bataan and Mark VI patrol boats train
The USS Bataan (LHD 5), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the US Navy, saw the Coastal Riverine Squadron Four (CRS-4) training with the Mark VI patrol boat, the US Navy announced on 19 May.
The CRS-4 conducted well deck operations with two Mark VI boats. The boats were launched and moored multiple times from the well deck of the LHD 5, marking a key milestone for them.
The first Mark VI arrived as part of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain. The CRS-4 will use it for conducting maritime security missions in the Arabian Gulf.
The Mark VI is an 85ft patrol boat that can reach speeds of over 35kts and has a 25mm Mark 38 bow gun. It enables the navy to continue patrolling waterways. They can fit inside the well deck for transport to any location, and they feature kickstands to help the deck department during boat operations.
Ensign Michael Klooster, deck department division officer, USS Bataan, said: 'This is the second time Mark VI patrol boats have ever done well deck operations and the first time conducting operations with an LHD-class amphibious warfare ship.
'We need to continue doing these operations because they are extremely beneficial to us. This will allow us to be more adaptable and support further operations when we deploy overseas. The Mark VI patrol boats are extremely cool pieces of machinery; they are extremely useful to the navy's warfighting mission.'
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