RED SEA -- For Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Corbin Bassingthwaite, the recent visit by Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., to amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) was extra special.
Bassingthwaite’s mother, Senior Chief Yeoman Karen Bassingthwaite, is part of McKenzie’s staff and was traveling with the general. Corbin Bassingthwaite is embarked on Bataan as part of Amphibious Squadron 8, and was able to spend about 90 minutes catching up with his mother while McKenzie, the commanding general of U.S. Central Command, toured parts of the ship, spoke with Sailors and Marines, and met with Navy and Marine Corps leaders onboard.
“It was a relief to see her,” Corbin Bassingthwaite said. “I do miss my family. We’re out here supporting a mission, and it’s good to be reminded about what we’re working so hard for.”
The mother and son had last seen each other before Thanksgiving.
Karen Bassingthwaite said she brought her son some snacks, a Christmas card and family photographs. She also brought him a flag with the logo of their hometown Tampa Bay Lightning professional hockey team and an application for admission to The Citadel military college, which had been mailed to the family home.
“I’m glad Petty Officer Bassingthwaite had this opportunity to spend some time with his mother during Gen. McKenzie’s visit to Bataan,” said Capt. Lance Lesher, Commodore of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). “Our Navy has the size and reach to span the globe, but this chance family reunion at sea is another sign that it can be a small world. I think this visit was a nice morale boost not only for Petty Officer Bassingthwaite, but for his shipmates, who benefited from this warm reminder of the family relationships back home we all cherish. Everyone on this ship has a mother, father, sibling, spouse or other loved ones they work to make proud every day serving our country.”
In addition to the flagship amphibious assault ship Bataan, the ARG includes the amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).
Also embarked with the ARG are elements of Naval Beach Group 2, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Fleet Surgical Team 4 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28.
The Bataan ARG and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.