August 29, 2005: Navy’s USS Bataan Heads Towards Northern Gulf Coast to Provide Hurricane Assistance

The USS Bataan, a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, and other US Navy assets are preparing to provide assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, if needed. The Bataan is currently underway in the Gulf of Mexico from Corpus Christi, Texas, and is now heading towards the northern Gulf Coast area. “If called upon, Bataan brings unique humanitarian capabilities to the scene.” [Navy Newsstand, 8/29/2005] The Bataan has helicopters, doctors, hospital beds, food, and water. It also can make its own water, up to 100,000 gallons a day. [Chicago Tribune, 9/4/2005]