![]() ![]() After picking up the MEU and the Combat Element, the three ships returned to Okinawa, Japan. ![]() She then returned to the Persian Gulf to embark the 31st MEU SOC and the combat element despite being in need of maintenance. During that time, Essex went to aid in Operation Unified Assistance in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, after the December 2004 tsunami. Essex stayed in the Persian Gulf while the 31st MEU and the combat element 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines went into Iraq for the Battle of Fallujah. In 2004, Essex carried the 31st MEU to Kuwait, along with USS Harpers Ferry and USS Juneau. Navy history, Essex replaced USS Belleau Wood and inherited the distinctive role as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in United States Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. On 26 July 2000, after successful completion of the largest crew swap in U.S. Additionally, Essex supported Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the UN-mandated no-fly zone over southern Iraq. Essex participated in Exercises Sea Soldier and Red Reef and Military SALT and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations with the U.S. She then departed for her third Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf deployment on 21 June 1998 with the 15th MEU (SOC) and Amphibious Squadron Five. On her return in April 1997, Essex went into a short maintenance period, followed by a shortened workup cycle. During the deployment, Essex participated in multinational exercises with Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, as well as Exercise Tandem Thrust 1997, an American-Australian combined exercise with over 28,000 troops, 250 aircraft, and 40 ships participating. On 10 October 1996, she embarked on her second Western Pacific deployment with the 11th MEU (SOC) and Amphibious Squadron Five. ![]() 1996 Īfter a short maintenance period, Essex embarked on a vigorous workup cycle, culminating in her participation in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), a biennial, seven-nation naval exercise. Essex returned to San Diego on 25 April 1995. Under fire from advancing Somalis, every member of the force was successfully extracted. In January 1995, she left the Persian Gulf to prepare for the complex task of covering the withdrawal of United Nations multinational force from Somalia in Operation United Shield. With the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable (SOC)) embarked. 1994 Įssex 's maiden deployment was in October 1994. 1990s 1993 Įssex conducted a training program during the spring of 1993, and from 18 August until 23 November, was undergoing upgrades, during Post Shakedown Availability, in Long Beach harbor. USS Essex performs a stern gate mating with Landing Craft Utility 1631, while back-loading elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Essex served as the command ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Seven until replaced by USS Bonhomme Richard on 23 April 2012. She is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts. She was launched 23 February 1991 and commissioned on 17 October 1992 while moored at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island. The amphibious assault ship was built at what is now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) in service with the United States Navy. 20 F-35B Lightning II stealth strike-fighters.22+ MV-22B Osprey assault support tiltrotor.4 CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters.12 MV-22B Osprey assault support tiltrotor.4 AH-1W /Z Super Cobra /Viper attack helicopter.6 F-35B Lightning II stealth strike-fighters.Two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers.1 AN/SPN-43 Marshalling Air Traffic Control Radar.USS Essex in the Arabian Sea in September 2021 ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |