THE TENSION: USS Tarawa Earns Battle "E"

FILE PHOTO - The rising sun shines on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker (Released)

Focus On Defense:

USS TARAWA, At Sea, March 10, 2008 (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) won the calendar year 2007 Battle Efficiency "E" in addition to achieving an overall score of excellent in five of six shipboard categories.

Tarawa competed against three other amphibious ships in her battle group: amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42); amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7); and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).

Tarawa was judged the winner by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, and confirmed by Commander, Naval Surface Forces, March 8.

"The award is recognition of the job we do every day; and how we meet the Navy's high standards of performance," said Tarawa's Training Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Armando Castellanos.

The five categories in which Tarawa received recognition were: Maritime Warfare Excellence Award; Engineering /Survivability Excellence Award; Logistics Management Excellence Award; Type Commander Ship Safety Excellence Award; and the Efficiency Excellence Award.

The award would not have been possible without the contribution made by Tarawa's engineering department. Tarawa's engineering training team consists of senior watchstanders who were responsible for training the main space watchstanders during certification drills; Unit Level Training (ULTRA) tests; and Sustainment and ULTRA engineering inspections.

The Engineering Department received 90 percent in their evaluations, and 100 percent effectiveness in a main space fire drill. The award is comprised one-third training and two-thirds on the overall performance of the crew.

"The Battle 'E' was a big accomplishment for a 30 year-old ship," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Dewayne L. Johnson. "We're doing things a younger ship can do. With the exceptional work done by the guys down in engineering plant, Tarawa is the safest steaming ship in the fleet."

Tarawa is conducting operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations and is focused upon reassuring regional partners of the coalition's commitment to help set conditions for security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

(Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David A. Brandenburg, USS Tarawa Public Affairs.)

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