Seaman Christopher Koch, from St. Petersburg, Fla.,

Seaman Christopher Koch, from St. Petersburg, Fla., stationed aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island, raises the international call sign as the ship departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story as part of USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. BAT ARG is deployed in support of U.S. and international efforts off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea. BAT ARG and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are executing an early deployment to the region in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet. BAT ARG is made up the following units; Commander, Amphibious Squadron 6, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde.