Anna Delgova, a Personnel Specialist 2nd Class aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5),

was caught off guard when she looked at her most current Leave Earning Statement

(LES) and found her paycheck was a little less than it had been in the past.

“It’s not such a terrible thing since we are underway,” said Delgova. “I would have been a little upset if it would have interfered with my shopping”, she said as she smiled.

USS Bataan’s o p e r a t i o n a l

movements over recent months have varied due to the real world missions in the operating regions of the 5th and 6th fleet. Prior to the month of June, the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE), which is earned by a Sailor for the month by spending at least one day in the combat zone, was reflected on every paycheck.

CTZE is now being processed at the end of the month.

These changes will be reflected on service members’ paydays for the remainder of the deployment.

Other ships in the Amphibious Ready Group are not experiencing such fluctuations in pay as the Bataan because the other ships have not had the opportunity to transition between fleets.

August 1, 2014Volume: 2 Issue: 15

Look Inside!Bahrain photos, Pages 4 & 5 | Delta Rae concert, Page 6 | PMA, Page 7

Bahrain cont. page 2

Figuring Out Numbers For Tax Free PaychecksBy MCSN Michael Fiorillo

The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) pulled into Bahrain for a mid-deployment maintenance period and much-needed down time for the crew after an extended 135 days at sea, July 15, 2014.

Bahrain, an island country situated near the western shores of the Arabian Gulf, is home for the headquarters of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces. Bataan, with elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, has been assigned in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since February to support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation.

The ship’s crew and embarked Marines used the time in port to perform maintenance needed during the ship’s scheduled. They also used their free time

after work to visit Manama and view its Middle Eastern culture.

Sailors, who normally work on the ship’s flight deck directing aircraft movement, spent the first few days re-painting visual landing aids which slowly deteriorate on non-skid decking.

“The first day in port we washed and scrubbed the deck to prepare it for painting,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Quentin Ellis from Harrisburg, Pa. “We painted the tramway, the safety lines, and landing spots so the pilots could see the flight deck better when they are

approaching the ship.” Electronics Technician 2nd Class Philip

Strube, from Portland, Texas assisted in the install of the ship’s AN/SPN-43 radar, used for vectoring aircraft into final approach to the ship.

“We spent about 20 hours the first few

Bataan Pulls Into Bahrain After 135 Days Underway By MC3 Mark Hays

Photo by MCSN Nicholas Frank Cottone

Photo by MCSN Michael J. Lieberknecht

Tax Free cont. page 2

Photo by MCSN Nicholas Frank Cottone

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The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by Bataan’s Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services at sea. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof.

Commanding OfficerCaptain George J. Vassilakis

Executive OfficerCaptain John “J.C.” Carter

Command Master ChiefCMDCM(SW/AW) Kevin M. Goodrich

Public Affairs Officer MCC(SW/SCW) Dennis Herring

News Team 5MC1(AW/SW) RJ StratchkoMC1(AW) Julie MatyascikMC3(SW/AW) Mark Andrew HaysMC3 Erik Foster MC3(SW) Chase Hawley

MCSN Nicholas Frank CottoneMCSN(SW) Michael J. LieberknechtMCSN Michael FiorilloMCSN Caleb Strong

Layout and Design MCSN Nicholas Frank CottoneEditor MC1(AW/SW) RJ Stratchko

days after we pulled into Bahrain getting the new antenna ready to bring on the ship and getting the pedestal ready for the install,” said Strube. “On about the third or fourth day we started at about 5 a.m. to get the new antenna in place. This radar system is very important for air traffic control and air marshalling. We’ve operated by using other systems, but having this back makes it much easier to accomplish our mission.”

Bataan’s Commanding Officer, Capt. George J. Vassilakis, said the stop in Bahrain for maintenance was based on keeping ship’s systems at their optimum operating levels.

“An extended deployment is a long time to operate without the need to stop and re-set,” said Vassilakis. “After five months of constant operations, we needed a few days to take care of tasks like painting the flight deck and replacing the radar antenna. It was a good opportunity to even perform maintenance on the ship’s air conditioning systems.”

Since deploying in February, the ship’s crew has operated in several locations in the 5th and 6th Fleet regions. The ship’s tasking includes providing the regional combatant commander with a versatile sea-based, expeditionary force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response options in maritime, littoral and inland environments in support of the nation’s maritime strategy.

“The Bataan team’s performance has been absolutely phenomenal throughout this deployment,” said Vassilakis. “Enduring 135 days at sea isn’t an easy task but they’ve pushed through like professionals. When called upon, these Sailors and Marines have given their all.”

During their liberty, Bataan’s Sailors and Marines spent time at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, where they shopped at the base’s Navy Exchange, enjoyed meals in the Exchange’s food court, watched movies, and bowled at the base bowling alley.

In Manama, Bahrain’s capital city,

the crew visited Souq Bab-al-Bahrain, a Middle Eastern open-air market where vendors sell traditional perfumes, jewelry, sweets, crafts, spices, teas and much more.

“It was awesome to get into Bahrain and see the culture,” said Ellis. “Now, we’re ready to get back out and complete our mission.”

Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Delgova said the goal of the Personnel Office is to ensure that this deployment comes to an end without any Sailor facing a financial deficit due to CZTE.

“Being responsible with my finances has allowed me avoid adjusting any of my bills because of the change,” said Delgova. “Everyone should understand the Personnel Office is doing what is best for everyone to receive an accurate paycheck and at the end of the year, an accurate W-2.”

Tax Free from Front Page1

Photo by MC1 Julie Matyascik

Bahrain from Front Page 1

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Delta Rae Rocks Sailors, Marines Aboard BataanBy MCSN Caleb Strong

Delta Rae, a folk-rock band from Durham N.C., held a Navy Entertainment sponsored concert on board USS Bataan (LHD 5), June 27, 2014.

Delta Rae has been on tour for two months and has spent the last three days

playing for the military, but describes playing on Bataan as something completely new.

“Our tour life is a little bit mundane; our day to day is kind of the same thing,” said Mike Mckee, the drummer for the band. “This is such a different experience, I’m just trying to soak everything in.”

The band said, they had no idea what

they were getting themselves into. They have played for a number of audiences, but never one like this.

“This opportunity came to Delta Rae through our booking agent,” said Rebecca Holljes, tour manager for Delta Rae.

“He mentioned that Delta Rae may have the chance to play for the Navy in the middle east. We didn’t know anything else about it, but we decided we needed to make this happen. Everyone was enthusiastic and excited, but we didn’t really know what to expect.”

Sailors and Marines filled the hanger bay for the concert, where both the temperature and the energy were high. During the concert Harriers were taking off and landing, increasing the volume.

“The concert was unbelievable. We’ve never done anything like that and I don’t know if we’ll be lucky enough to do it again,” said Eric Holljes, guitarist, pianist

and singer for Delta Rae. “It was one of the hottest shows we’ve ever played and the most fun. You’re right there with the Sailors and Marines and you get their energy and you’re in this enormous incredible space that’s been converted into a performance space and stage. Meanwhile outside you’re hearing these harrier jets take off and land. Absolutely unforgettable, it was really fun.”

According to one of the lead singers for Delta Rae, Liz Hopkins, it was an experience that could not be forgotten.

“We have been a band for five years and we’ve had a number of incredible audiences. To play in a hanger in front of a thousand Sailors and Marines on a hot summer night on the USS Bataan is something I’ll never forget. I know I’ll tell my kids and grandkids about it.”

The band finished their time aboard Bataan with an informal jam session the next day. Fire Controlman 2nd class Zach Eisenbraun plays the electric violin and was given the chance to play with the band.

“Being able to play for such a talented group of people was exhilarating. I’ve been playing for 13 years and it was definitely the most memorable and fun experience I’ve ever had. It’s not everyday that you get to play in front of such a great band and a great group of people like that.”

Photo by MC3 Chase Hawley

Photo by MC1 Julie Matyascik

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Photo by MC1 RJ Stratchko Photo by MC1 RJ Stratchko

Photo by MCSN Michael Fiorillo Photo by MCSN Michael Fiorillo

U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, U.S. Central Command and Vice Adm. John W. Miller, Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command visited Bataan on seperate occasions to meet Sailors and Marines.