Ethan Walton has served in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate for five years.
“Joining the Navy has been a life long goal for me,” said Walton. “I also joined so that I could serve.”
Before joining the Navy Walton volunteered as an EMT for the Roanoke, fire department. His grandfather also served in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate.
“I honestly love what I do,” said Walton. “I load cargo, personnel and equipment on LCACs. I am in charge of all the weapons and ammunition stored on board.”
The landing craft air cushion (LCAC) is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying very large payloads. It is used to transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and across the beach.
Walton is deployed in the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) as part of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 embarked on USS Bataan.
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed from Naval Station Norfolk for an eight-month deployment Feb. 8.
The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet AOR.
BATARG the is comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk. ACU 4 is homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS).
