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US Navy - Amphibious Assault Ship LHD 2 - USS Essex |
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| 10/24 | ||
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Type,
class: Amphibious Assault Ship (multi purpose);
Wasp
class Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA STATUS: Awarded: September 10, 1986 Laid down: March 20, 1989 Launched: February 23, 1991 Christening: March 16, 1991 Commissioned: October 17, 1992 IN SERVICE Homeport: Naval Base San Diego, California Namesake: traditionally; named in honor of the previous 4 ships which were named Essex Ships Motto: TAKE NOTICE Technical Data: see: INFO > Wasp class Amphibious Assault Ship - LHD |
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Deployments and Major Maintenance Periods: October 1994 - April 1995 with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-161(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf May 1996 - June 1996 with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC, Pacific Ocean October 1996 - April 1997 with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf June 1998 - December 1998 with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-163(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean July 2000: hull swap with USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) July 2000 - April 2012: permanently forward deployed to Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan - units assigned: July 2000 - January 2001: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-367, HMH-466, VMA-214, HC-5 January 2001 - July 2001: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-361, HC-5 July 2001 - January 2002: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-169, HMH-465, VMA-311, HC-5 January 2002 - June 2003: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-369, HMH-462, VMA-211, HC-5 July 2003 - December 2003: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-361, VMA-231, HC-5 January 2004 - March 2004: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-369, HMH-465, VMA-211, HC-5 March 2004 - April 2004: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-369, VMA-211 April 2004 - April 2005: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-369, HMH-463, VMA-211, HC-5 May 2005 - June 2005: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, VMA-311 June 2005 - December 2005: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-362, VMA-311, HSC-25 December 2005 - July 2006: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-462, VMA-214, HSC-25 July 2006 - January 2007: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-462, VMA-311, HSC-25 January 2007 - May 2007: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-465, VMA-214, HSC-25 May 2007 - December 2007: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-462, VMA-214, HSC-25 December 2007 - July 2008: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-463, VMA-513, HSC-25 July 2008 - January 2009: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-267, HMH-465, VMA-223, HSC-25 January 2009 - August 2009: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-?, VMA-211, HSC-25 August 2009 - January 2010: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-?, VMA-513, HSC-25 January 2010 - July 2010: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-?, VMA-311, HSC-25 July 2010 - January 2011: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-?, VMA-542, HSC-25 January 2011 - May 2011: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-262(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-462, VMA-211, HSC-25 June 2011 - December 2011: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-467, HMH-465, VMA-214, HSC-25 December 2011 - April 2012: 31st MEU(SOC) / HMM-265(REIN) with detachments from HMLA-?, HMH-466, VMA-311, HSC-25 April 2012: hull swap with USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) April 2012 - May 2012 > returning to US arriving at her new homeport, Naval Base San Diego, California on May 17, 2012 September 2012 - April 2014: Extended Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (EDPMA) at Naval Base San Diego, California May 2015 - December 2015 with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and VMM-161(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, 5th Fleet AOR July 2018 - March 2019 with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, 5th Fleet AOR August 2021 - March 2022 with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, 5th Fleet AOR June 2022 - August 2022 with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC, Pacific Ocean September 2022 - September 2023: Dry Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) at BAE Systems Ship Repair San Diego, California |
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 after departing BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  after departing BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  departing dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  departing dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  departing dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  departing dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 8, 2023  in dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - September 2023  in dry dock at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair - February 2023 USS Essex entering dry dock in San Diego, California for a Dry Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) on September 27, 2022 Work on the ship is expected to be completed in September 2023  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - August 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - August 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  with VMM-363(REIN) embarked - exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  during exercise RIMPAC 22 - Pacific Ocean - July 2022  moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 2022  arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii for exercise RIMPAC - June 26, 2022  returning to Naval Base San Diego, California - March 4, 2022  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - February 2022  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Sulu Sea - January 2022  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Sulu Sea - January 2022  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Indian Ocean - January 2022  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Indian Ocean - January 2022  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Gulf - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Gulf - November 2021  machinery control - Arabian Gulf - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  Mk.15 Phalanx CIWS fire exercise - Gulf of Oman - November 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Gulf - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Gulf - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Gulf - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Strait of Hormuz - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Sea - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Sea - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Arabian Sea - September 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2021  LCAC well deck operations - Pacific Ocean - April 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2021  with VMM-165(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2021  Pacific Ocean - December 2020  Pacific Ocean - December 2020  exercise RIMPAC - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  exercise RIMPAC - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  exercise RIMPAC - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  exercise RIMPAC - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  exercise RIMPAC - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - August 2020  arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - August 2020  arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - August 2020  transferring historic aircraft for the 75th Commemoration of the End of WWII from NAS North Island to Hawaii - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  transferring historic aircraft for the 75th Commemoration of the End of WWII from NAS North Island to Hawaii - Pacific Ocean - August 2020  flight operations - Pacific Ocean - July 2020  Pacific Ocean - May 2020  Pacific Ocean - May 2020  Pacific Ocean - April 2020  maintenance period - Naval Base San Diego, California - September 2019  returning to San Diego, California - March 1, 2019  returning to San Diego, California - March 1, 2019  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - February 2019  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Arabian Sea - December 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Arabian Sea - December 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Aden - September 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Gulf of Aden - September 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - August 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - exercise Carat Malaysia - Sulu Sea - August 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - exercise Carat Malaysia - Sulu Sea - August 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - August 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - COMPTUEX - Pacific Ocean - June 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - COMPTUEX - Pacific Ocean - June 2018  cutout - armament details  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - COMPTUEX - Pacific Ocean - June 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - May 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - May 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - April 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with VMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  with F-35B Lightning II's from VMFA-211 embarked - Pacific Ocean - March 2018  F-35B Lightning II operations (VMFA-211) - Pacific Ocean - March 2018 > continue > LHD 2 image page 2 < |
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USS Essex (LHD 2): USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned on 17 October 1992, after being built at what is now the Northrop Grumman Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Dick Cheney, then the Secretary of Defense in the first Bush Administration, spoke at the commissioning ceremony; the Essex was moored at North Island NAS, next to the Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Essex conducted an arduous and highly successful training program, during the spring of 1993, and on August 18th, she was undergoing upgrades, during Post Shakedown Availability, in Long Beach harbor until November 23rd while her crew was at 4 section duty. Her maiden deployment was in October 1994. With the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked, Essex showcased her abilities on numerous occasions. The highlight of the deployment came in January of 1995, when she left the Persian Gulf to prepare for the complex task of covering the withdrawal of UN multinational force from Somalia in Operation United Shield. Under fire from advancing Somalis, every member of the force was successfully extracted. Essex returned to San Diego on 25 April 1995. After a short maintenance period, Essex embarked on a vigorous workup cycle, culminating in her participation in RIMPAC ’96, a biennial, seven-nation naval exercise. On 10 October 1996, she embarked on her second Western Pacific deployment, with the 11th MEU (SOC) and Amphibious Squadron FIVE. During the deployment, Essex participated in multinational exercises with Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, as well as Exercise Tandem Thrust ’97, an American-Australian combined exercise with over 28,000 troops, 250 aircraft and 40 ships participating. Upon her return in April 1997, Essex again went into a short maintenance period, followed by a shortened workup cycle. She then departed for her third Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf deployment on 22 June 1998 with the 15th MEU (SOC) and Amphibious Squadron FIVE. Essex participated in Exercises Sea Soldier and Red Reef, and participated in Military SALT and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations with the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. Additionally, Essex supported Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the UN-mandated no-fly zone over southern Iraq. On 26 July 2000, after successful completion of the largest crew swap in U.S. Navy history, Essex replaced Belleau Wood (LHA-3) and inherited the distinctive role as the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed Amphibious Assault Ship in Sasebo, Japan. In the role, Essex participated in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations in East Timor in October and November 2001; Foal Eagle in Korea in 2002; and the Philippines mudslide recovery in February 2006. In 2004, Essex carried the 31st MEU to Kuwait, along with USS Harpers Ferry and USS Juneau. 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. During that time, Essex went to aid in Operation Unified Assistance in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, after the December 2004 tsunami. She then returned to the Persian Gulf to embark the 31st MEU SOC and the combat element despite being in need of maintenance. After picking up the MEU and the Combat Element, the three ships returned to Okinawa, Japan. The ship had been at sea for a total of eight months. During the 2008 Myanmar Cyclone Nargis crisis and the subsequent Operation Caring Response aid mission, Essex and her amphibious group (made up of Juneau, Harpers Ferry, and the destroyer USS Mustin) stood by off Burma from 13 May to 5 June, waiting for the Myanmar junta government to permit US aid to its citizens. In early June, with permission still not forthcoming, it was decided to put the group back on its scheduled operations. Early in 2009, Essex completed exercise Cobra Gold, which had been cut short the previous year. Essex followed this with exercise Balikatan with the Republic of the Philippines. Essex then got underway in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2009 and conducted various well deck and flight deck evolutions supporting this joint bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Australian military forces. 2010 - During October 21 - 23, the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group provided humanitarian assistance/disaster relief to the Philippines after the Super Typhoon Juan (international name Megi) caused extensive destruction to municipalities along the eastern coast of the Province of Isabela. Despite the effort of the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU, and elements of the 3rd MEB and Marine Air Group 36, no Humanitarian Service Medal and/or Philippine Presidential Unit Citation were awarded. 2011 - On the request for assistance from the Japanese government, the Navy directed the Essex to be deployed off the northeastern coast of Honshu after the massive 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The ship was involved in relief activities in the Sea of Japan off Akita Prefecture. Helicopters from the ship helped deliver relief supplies to quake and tsunami survivors along the northeast coast of Tohoku. The ship departed Sasebo in September 2011 for a patrol of the western Pacific. Accompanying the ship were the USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Denver (LPD 9). On 16 May 2012, Essex suffered an apparent steering failure while approaching USNS Yukon for an underway replenishment. The two ships collided, causing damage to both ships. There were no injuries, and no loss of fuel was reported. Both ships were able to continue to San Diego under their own power. On 19 June 2012 the Navy announced that the ship's commander, Captain Chuck Litchfield, had been relieved of command due to "loss of confidence in his ability to command." An investigation determined that the collision was avoidable and caused by improper supervision by Litchfield over his junior bridge crew. Although Essex's steering had failed, the investigation determined that better leadership by Litchfield could have prevented the collision. The investigation recommended administrative action against Essex's executive officer, Officer Of the Deck (OOD), conning officer, and helm safety officer. Essex entered Naval Base San Diego for an 18-month maintenance and upgrade on 18 September 2012. After two years of dry-dock and pier side maintenance, Essex executed an on-time underway to conduct sea trials in April 2014. Essex also received an aviation certification in May 2014 by showing proficiency in the launching, landing and refueling of various helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys on the flight deck. Essex was one of the three US Navy ships, the other two being Harry S. Truman and Kearsarge, in which the US Navy installed metal 3D printers. On 30 November 2015, Essex and her Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), embarked with the 15th MEU entered the United States Third Fleet Area of Operations (AO), returning from a deployment that spread across the 5th, 6th and 7th AOs. 7-9 October 2017 Essex was in San Francisco, and along with USS Champion, was open to visitors as part of the "San Francisco Fleet Week" event. In September 2018 the Essex ARG with the F-35B equipped Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) aboard deployed to the United States Central Command AO. On 27 September, it was reported that the first-ever F-35B airstrike was launched from Essex against a fixed Taliban target. The coronavirus pandemic was reported to have spread to the crew of Essex when its first case was reported on 17 March 2019. The sailor had been attending a course at Naval Base San Diego since 6 February 2020 when the test returned positive on 14 March.[27] The student subsequently self-isolated at home. On 27-30 May 2022, Essex and USS Portland (LPD-27) were open to the public as a part of Los Angeles Fleet Week 2022, in San Pedro, California. Essex participated in RIMPAC 2022. On 2 August 2023, a machinist’s mate was arrested for espionage for passing information about the Essex, the ship he was stationed on and others, to a Chinese agent. source: wikipedia + USN |
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Essex On October 25, 1798, a meeting of the sponsors of the first Essex was held to determine the type of vessel to be built. From the Salem Gazette of October 26, 1798, came the following announcement which read in part: “At a meeting in this town on Tuesday last, of those gentlemen who have subscribed to build a ship for the service of the United States, it was voted unanimously to build a frigate of 32 guns, and to loan the same to the government…” A month later, the frigate's builder, Enoch Briggs, advertised for shipbuilding materials in a ringing appeal: “Take Notice! Ye sons of freedom! Step forth and give your assistance in building the frigate to oppose French insolence and piracy! Let every man in possession of a white oak tree feel ambitious to be foremost in hurrying down the timber to Salem …where noble structure is to be fabricated and maintain your rights upon the seas and make the name of America respected among the nations of the world! Your longest and largest trees are wanted…four trees are wanted for the keel, which altogether measure 146 feet in length, and hew 16 inches square. Please call on the subscriber, who…will pay the ready cash.” The frigate was launched on September 30, 1799, before a crowd of 12,000 people. The expected war with France did not materialize, but in the War of 1812, the first Essex compiled a battle record unequaled by any other man-of-war, and by the close of 1813, Essex was the only vessel of worth to be operating (all others having been captured, damaged, or sunk). America was young. While struggling to establish economic and political stability under the new constitution, the United States faced continued threats from French naval forces against a new and thriving maritime industry. To protect these interests, Congress passed several acts to establish a token naval force; and on June 30, 1798, the act which enabled Essex to be built came into being. This act allowed the President to accept vessels of war from private citizens on the credit of thUnited States . In response to this action, 23 citizens of Salem , in the county of Essex , Massachusetts , opened a “Patriotic Subscription” on July 17, 1798, to build a vessel of war for the United States of America. That a legend was born... The second Essex, an ironclad steamer, was built in 1856 for use as a ferry. Originally NEW ERA, it was renamed Essex following purchase by the War Department on September 20, 1861. She participated in action against the Confederate forces on the cumberland and Tennessee rivers. She was decommissioned on July 20,1865. The third Essex, a wooden-screw steamer, was built by the United States at East Boston , Massachusetts , and was commissioned on October 3, 1876. Essex saw action with the North and South Atlantic Squadrons and on the Pacific and Asian stations. It returned to New York via the Suez canal and was placed out of commission in May 1889. (Later, this vessel became shipwrecked in Lake Superior.) The fourth Essex , was an aircraft carrier (CV 9) and came into duty as the lead ship in a class of World War II aircraft carriers. Commissioned in December 1942, she reported to the Pacific Fleet following shakedown cruises and embarked on a series of victories that would take her to Tokyo Bay . As the flagship of Task Force 14, CV 9 struck Wake Island in October 1943, launched an attack on the Gilbert Islands, and participated in her first amphibious assault (against Tarawa) in November, then moved on to the Marshall Islands, Truk and the Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam in early 1944. In the closing days of the war, Essex took part in the final telling raids against the Japanese home islands. She was decommissioned in 1947, then modernized and recommissioned in 1951, with a new flight deck and streamlined superstructure. As flagship for Carrier Division 1, she was the first carrier to launch twin-engine F2H “Banshee” jet fighters in support of troops in Korea . She was reclassified (CVA 9) on October 1, 1952. Following her Korean action, she was again modernized, this time with an angled flight deck, and saw duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets in the late 1950s. She was decommissioned July 30, 1969. |
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