Amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) was named a recipient of the 2016 Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") Award, March 15, marking the first time the ship has received the prestigious award.

Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, commander of Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, made the official announcement via naval message traffic.

The Battle "E" is the Navy's top performance award presented exclusively to the ships which achieve the highest standards of readiness and efficiency. Award criteria is designed to measure and recognize a command's sustained superior performance and battle efficiency in an operational environment throughout the calendar year.

Eligibility for this award demands day-to-day dedication to excellence and superior achievement during certifications and qualifications conducted throughout the competitive period.

"Green Bay's superior performance during 2016 can be credited to the hard work and determination of all its Sailors," said Capt. Nathan Moyer, Green Bay's commanding officer. "It validates our focus on continuous improvement across a wide spectrum of warfare readiness and fosters a sense of accomplishment and pride."

The Battle "E" is only achievable through meeting and exceeding multiple operational standards based on individual and community efforts.

"We bring our 'A' game every day, and it's exciting to have been selected for this award," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Grahm Johnson. "To be recognized as one of the best ships in the fleet is truly an honor."

Green Bay spent the first half of 2016 completing a selective restricted availability (SRA) in Sasebo, Japan, making repairs and improvements to the ship. Immediately following the SRA period, Green Bay conducted sea trials and a multitude of certifications and qualifications to get the ship deployment ready. In August 2016, Green Bay deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), to participate in multiple exercises and events targeted at honing the ship's amphibious capabilities. Green Bay's operations throughout the deployment enhanced regional partnerships and provided a forward presence to allow rapid response to any potential real-world contingency in the region. Following the completion of a successful deployment, Green Bay maintained a steady operational tempo in preparation for future underways and deployments.

"During our time operating forward, the crew demonstrated its versatility and prowess through participation in several multilateral, joint exercises and qualifications," said Moyer. "This award symbolizes Green Bay's overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned mission and tasking. I am amazed each and every day by the crew's dedication and excellence. I am proud to be their commanding officer, and I am proud of everyone on board for this remarkable accomplishment."

In the 2016 Command Excellence Award Competition, Green Bay was also awarded the Command, Control, Communications and Information Warfare Excellence Award, Logistics Management Excellence Award, Maritime Warfare Excellence Award, and Ship Safety Excellence Award.

Every Green Bay Sailor who was a member of the crew during 2016 is now eligible to wear the Battle "E" ribbon on their uniform.

"The crew has worked so hard and have waited to hear the results for quite some time," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Kristopher Hulce. "This is the first Battle 'E' I've received, along with a lot of the other junior Sailors. I know that we'll wear it with pride."

Green Bay, part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is on a routine patrol, operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance warfighting readiness and posture forward as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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