USS Essex (LHD 2)

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Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 14, 2015 at 1:50pm

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 13, 2015) Seaman Apprentice Jesus Rodriguez stands the starboard aft lookout watch on the fantail of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is currently operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher A. Veloicaza/ Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 11, 2015 at 12:28pm

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit sort through mail aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the South China Sea, June 10, 2015. Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Essex helped sort through hundreds of pieces of mail from friends and family members. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/Released)

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 10, 2015 at 2:41pm

- Hong Kong

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on June 5, 2015 at 12:27am

Welcome to Hong Kong! The rumors are true! We have safely anchored in Victoria Harbor for some well-deserved liberty! Your Sailors and Marines will be able to experience the Chinese culture by attending MWR tours and sightseeing throughout the city. Thank you for your support!

- Courtesy of USS Essex (LHD 2) posted on facebook

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on May 29, 2015 at 2:30pm

Essex ARG, 15th MEU Arrive in 7th Fleet Area of Operations
Story Number: NNS150527-03Release Date: 5/27/2015 9:38:00 AM

From Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 25, after departing San Diego May 11.

The ARG and MEU arrived following an amphibious sustainment training exercise in Hawaii with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

While in the Hawaii operating area, the Essex ARG and 15th MEU participated in Culebra Koa 2015, an amphibious force and joint seabasing exercise that introduced new technology to decrease reliance on infrastructure ashore.

The ARG and MEU also hosted flag and general officers from more than 20 nations during the inaugural Pacific Command Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) aboard USS Essex for a day-long tour and amphibious raid demonstration.

The Navy and Marine Corps team also brings MV-22B Ospreys, AV-8B Harrier jets, landing craft air cushion vehicles, CH-53E Super Stallion and AH-1Z Viper helicopters, UH-1Y Venom helicopters, MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters and other assets.

"The Essex Amphibious Ready Group offers combatant commanders mobility of force and flexibility of mission that make the ARG-MEU team a critical asset no matter where or in what capacity these Sailors and Marines are called to serve," said Commodore Clint Carroll, commander of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group. "The force brings a wide range of capabilities to each area of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale military operations, and everything in between."

Other ARG elements include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 1, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Assault Craft Unit 5 and Beach Master Unit 1.

"The 15th MEU brings a host of flexible, responsive options across the spectrum of military operations in support of the interagency and combatant commanders' objectives," said Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer, commanding officer, 15th MEU. "The distinct ability of amphibious forces to gain access to critical areas anywhere in the world with ground, air, and logistics forces enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to resolve conflicts, conduct humanitarian assistance, and if needed, combat the enemy in remote, austere environments."

The 15th MEU consists of the 15th MEU command element; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced); a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; and a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR spans more than 48 million square miles from the Kurile Islands north of Japan to the Antarctic in the south and from the International Date Line to the 68th meridian east, which runs down the India-Pakistan border.

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on May 22, 2015 at 5:54pm

The time has come for our mighty war ship and crew to head out and do what it is we were meant to do! Thank you to everyone who came out and saw the ship off, we definitely heard you all cheering as we passed through the channel! To all of those who were not able to make it, your support and love was still with us! Please continue to follow along on this great journey as we will have plenty of photos for you all to bring you as close to the action as possible. Thank you for supporting the Essex Amphibious Ready Group! Our crew could not be more proud to finally be sailing the mighty Iron Gator on the deep blue sea!

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on May 18, 2015 at 11:27am

One dead, 21 hospitalized after Marine aircraft crashes in Waimanalo

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on May 12, 2015 at 2:49pm

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on May 9, 2015 at 9:52am

Essex Amphibious Ready Group, 15th MEU Prepare to Deploy
From Amphibious Squadron 3 Public Affairs

Posted May 8, 2015

In this file photo, ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group conduct a straits transit exercise in February. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Christopher B. Janik)


SAN DIEGO - More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are scheduled to depart San Diego May 11 for a deployment in support of the Navy's maritime strategy.

The Essex ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the command ship for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3 and the 15th MEU, as well as amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23), which is embarking upon its maiden deployment.

"The Essex ARG/MEU has conducted a robust training cycle and has become a stronger Navy-Marine Corps team, successfully completing every evolution and certifying with flying colors," said Capt. Clint Carroll, commander, Amphibious Squadron Three. "The Sailors and Marines exemplify the hard work, dedication and unit cohesion necessary for a successful deployment. I am confident we are prepared to face any challenge and meet all missions."

After departing San Diego, Essex ARG will transit to Hawaii Operating Area where they are scheduled to participate in exercise Culebra Koa 2015 which is a U.S. Pacific Fleet training exercise designed to demonstrate and increase joint proficiency in expeditionary operations. The exercise will also serve as additional training for the Essex ARG prior to deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

While deployed, the ARG/MEU team serves as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations.

The mission of the Essex ARG is to help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and provide humanitarian/disaster response as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on April 23, 2015 at 1:39pm

Essex Amphibious Ready Group Completes Certification Exercise (CERTEX)

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