Just received this good news from the U.S. Navy:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATAAN ARG Returns Home

NORFOLK, Va. — More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines serving in the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG) are scheduled to arrive at their homeports in Norfolk, Va. and Virginia Beach, Va. Oct. 31; and Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 28.

Livingston, Mont. Sailors are returning after completing a nine-month deployment in which the ships supported maritime security operations, theater security cooperation, and provided a forward naval presence in the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

BAT ARG is commanded by Capt. Neil A. Karnes, Commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6, and comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LDS 44). Bataan and Mesa Verde are homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.; and Gunston Hall is homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is commanded by Col. William R. Dunn, and comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment; aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced); logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its command element.

For more information, visit: www.navy.mil. Media queries email usffmediaoffice.fct@navy.mil

Advance notification is required for access to the naval stations to cover these events. Please contact Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs at (757) 836-3140 by noon Thursday, Oct. 30 to arrange for escort. Please indicate which media opportunity you plan to cover and whether or not you request to broadcast live at the homecomings.

The homecoming of USS Bataan will be streamed live on-line. Media wishing to link to the live stream can do so at http://www.livestream.com/usnavy or http://navylive.dodlive.mil/?p=29330.

Media wishing to cover the arrival of USS Bataan and USS Mesa Verde at Naval Station Norfolk, should meet their escort at the Gate 5 Tour and Information Office 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Media wishing to cover the arrival of USS Gunston Hall, at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story should meet their escort at the Gate 3 Pass and ID Office at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31

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