US assault ship USS Bataan raced at 'best speed' into the Red Sea fight ready to 'punch somebody in the face' if needed, top officers say

U.S. Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Fleet Week New York and Sailors assigned to the USS Bataan (LHD-5) man the rails as the ship arrives in Manhattan, New York for Fleet Week New York 2024, May 22, 2024.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Orion Stpierre, Communication Directorate

• USS Bataan extended its deployment last year and sailed into the Red Sea to combat the Houthis.
• The US amphibious assault ship joined a fight largely meant for other ships, a senior officer said.