'Big 5' Ship's Store Best In Class

Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) announced multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) ship's store as the Atlantic Fleet's "Best in Class" for fiscal year 2009.

Bataan's award was based on superior service and excellence provided to the crew above and beyond the normal service provided on the other ships in the same class type, according to the naval message announcing the award.

"The customer service is excellent; the people are always easy to get along with and very friendly," said Damage Controlman Fireman Jacob Tejeda.

Sailors from Supply Department's S-3 Division feel a sense of pride in what they've accomplished over the past year.

"It's had a big impact on us. You can be a ship's serviceman for twenty years and never get an award like this," said Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Roberto Coriano. "A lot of junior Sailors appreciate this and the recognition from the ship's crew," said Coriano.

Bataan Supply Deparmtment Sailors didn't have to wait to see the message, Rear Adm. Michael Lyden, chief of the Supply Corps, gave Bataan the good news during a visit to the ship in Haiti.

"Receiving a personal thanks from the admiral was much appreciated by the ship's serviceman as well," said Coriano. "He also sent out individual e-mails to us to give us a personal congratulations and thank you."

"The purpose of our job is to keep up ship morale by providing the necessities needed to live day-to-day on the ship," said said Ship's Serviceman Seaman Aaron S. Fitzgerald. "This award means that we're doing our job and we're doing it well."

According to the Cmdr. Willie Robohn, Bataan's supply officer, the store earned more than quarter of a million dollars in fiscal year 2009, money that is funneled back to the Sailor in the form of morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) activities.

MWR is able to subsidize tours, pay for tour buses in liberty ports, provide free shuttles to places in the Hampton Roads area and orgtanize weekend trips to places like Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., said Robohn.

"They're pretty helpful; if they don't have something, they make a note of it and make the effort to have it next time," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Jhonattan Fuertes. "They have good attitudes, they keep a professional attitude at all times," said Fuertes.

The ship was awarded the Battle "E" efficiency award earlier this year based on their maximum condition of departmental readiness and outstanding capability to perform wartime tasks.

Bataan has been on station off the coast of Haiti since Jan. 18, supporting Operation Unified Response, an international commitment to provide relief for the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake.