The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016 | Page 46
USS Bataan (above)
This is a Wasp‐class amphibious assault ship that was commissioned in 1997 and named to honor the de‐
fense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines during WWII. This Wasp‐class ship is capable of trans‐
porting almost the full strength of a U.S. Marie Corps Expeditionary Unit and landing them in hostile terri‐
tory via landing craft or helicopters.
©2016 Brian R Veprek
Fleet Week New York 2016 did not disappoint ‐ the weather was beautiful and the ships were grand. The
28th annual celebration of American military sea services took place from May 25th ‐ 31st and was
greeted with residents of the tri‐state area and all over the world. This event started with the Parade of
Ships up the Hudson River. Thousands of people lines the banks of the river to watch the U.S. and Cana‐
dian ships manned by 4,500 sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen.