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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Essex (LHD-2)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Echo - Sierra - Xray NESX

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
Precedence of awards is from left to right
Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (7) - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2)

Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose):

Laid down, 20 March 1989, at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula, MS.

Launched, 23 February 1991

Commissioned USS Essex (LHD-2), 17 October 1992

Essex is forward deployed at Sasebo, Japan

Specifications:
Displacement 40,650 tons (fl.)
Length 844'
Beam 105'
Speed 20 kts.+
Complement 104 Officer, 1004 Enlisted
Marine Force 1894 (plus 184 surge)
Armament

two RAM launchers

two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers

three 20mm Phalanx (CIWS) mounts

four .50cal. machine guns
Aircraft

twelve CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters

four CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters

six AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft

three UH-1N Huey helicopters

four AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters

planned capability to embark MV-22 Osprey VTOL tilt-rotors
Power Plant

two 600 psi boilers

two geared steam turbines

two shafts

70,000 total shaft horsepower

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
	126k	General Alfred M Gray Jr. USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps signs the authentication plaque at the keel laying ceremony for the Essex (LHD-2) at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS., 20 March 1989. Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.	Gerd Matthes
	150k	Keel laying ceremony for Essex (LHD-2), 20 March 1989. Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.	Gerd Matthes
	143k	Christening ceremony for Essex (LHD-2) at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS., 16 March 1991. Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.	Gerd Matthes
	153k	From left to right; Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney, Mary Cheney, Elizabeth Cheney and ship's sponsor Mrs. Lynne Cheney at the Christening Ceremony for Essex (LHD-2). at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS., 16 March 1991. Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.	Gerd Matthes
	137k	Mrs. Lynne Cheney, ship's sponsor, christens Essex (LHD-2). at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS., 16 March 1991. Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.	Gerd Matthes
	322k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	David Holst
	45k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** departing San Diego passing under the Coronado Bridge, date unknown. US Navy photo	David Holst
	82k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway in San Diego Bay as she stands out to sea, date unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	49k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	David Holst
	150k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	.
	33k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	.
	46k	*USS Essex* (LHD 2) departing San Diego October, 1994. In the background tied up at NAS North Island are USS Constellation (CV 64) (left) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)** (right)	Photo by Dale Haskin
	81k	*USS Essex* (LHD 2)** underway off the coast of Southern California in June 1995, location unknown. US Navy photo	Robert M. Cieri
	51k	an MV-22 Osprey lands on the flight deck of the *USS Essex* (LHD 2)** off the coast of Southern California, 26 February 2000. US Navy photo	Edward Cleary
	71k	*USS Essex* (LHD 2) sails towards Apra Harbor, Guam, for a short visit, 23 June 2000. Essex was on her way to Sasebo, Japan, to complete the Navy's largest dissimilar hull-type crew swap with USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3)*. The crew of USS Essex* brought USS Belleau Wood back to her new homeport of San Diego while the current crew of USS Belleau Wood shifted to USS Essex which will remain at Sasebo. US Navy photo # 000623-N-4106R-002 by PH3 Sean Ryan.	Bill Gonyo
	85k	*USS Essex* (LHD 2)** date and location unknown.	Robert Hurst
	91k	*USS Essex* (LHD 2) during an amphibious exercise a Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) enters Essex*'s well deck. US Navy photo # 010123-N-5686B-002* by PH2 Crystal M. Brooks.	Bill Gonyo
	95k	The Essex Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) steaming in formation in the South Pacific, 11 March 2002. *USS Essex* (LHD-2) is followed by USS Juneau (LPD-10), USS Germantown (LSD-42) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)*. US Navy photo # 1-020311-N-9802B-003*	Bernard A. Cardali USN, USS LST-308
	524k	A Landing Signal Enlisted (LSE) directs a CH-46E helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-265) as it lifts off the flight deck of *USS Essex* (LHD-2). Essex and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Sihanoukville for a port call to give Sailors and Marines the opportunity to participate in friendship-building community relations events, medical and dental projects and professional exchanges. Essex** is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76. US Navy photo # 071126-N-0913B-077 SIHANOUKVILLE, Kingdom of Cambodia (Nov. 26, 2007) by MCSN Andrew Brantley.	Robert M. Cieri
	2275k	A Landing Signal Enlisted (LSE) directs a CH-46E helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-265) as it lifts off the flight deck of *USS Essex* (LHD-2). Essex** and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Sihanoukville for a port call to give Sailors and Marines the opportunity to participate in friendship-building community relations events, medical and dental projects and professional exchanges. US Navy photo # 071126-N-0913B-083 GULF OF THAILAND (Nov. 26, 2007) by MCSN Andrew Brantley.	Robert M. Cieri
	3320k	Sailors and Marines board a CH-46E Sea Knight, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-265), after *USS Essex* (LHD-2) arrived off the coast of Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia. The Sailors and Marines aboard Essex** are departing to one of the two medical and dental community action projects scheduled during the visit. US Navy photo # 071126-N-1778P-021 GULF OF THAILAND (Nov. 26, 2007) by MC2 Drae Parker.	Robert M. Cieri
	2244k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) steams alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO-197)** during a replenishment at sea (RAS) evolution. US Navy photo # 080206-N-0807W-041 PACIFIC OCEAN (February 6, 2008) by MC2 Joshua J. Wahl.	Robert M. Cieri
	1042k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** underway during Exercise Balikatan 2008. The annual bilateral exercise improves interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military during humanitarian, medical and engineering missions. US Navy photo # 080224-N-4010S-106 SOUTH CHINA SEA (February 24, 2008) by MCC Ty Swartz.	Robert M. Cieri
	1028k	An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six (HS-6) "Screamin Indians" flies above *USS Essex* (LHD-2)** during an expeditionary strike force (ESF) exercise with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. US Navy photo # 080316-N-3038W-019 EAST CHINA SEA (March 16, 2008) by MCSN John Wagner.	Robert M. Cieri
	1863k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2)** steams into position during an Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) exercise in the East China Sea, 16 March 2008. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently participated in an ESF with the Essex (LHD 2) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). The ESF exercise was designed to test the ability of the Strike Groups to plan and conduct multi-task force operations across a broad spectrum of naval disciplines and to refresh skills in completing complex missions that require capabilities that are broader in scope than the individual Strike Groups can provide alone. US Navy photo # 80316-N-5484G-010 EAST CHINA SEA (March 16, 2008) by MC3 Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong.	Robert M. Cieri
	1185k	The forward-deployed amphibious ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2) steams through the Andaman Sea. The lead ship in the Essex Amphibious Ready Group** is standing by in international waters off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. US Navy photo # 080523-N-4010S-373 ANDAMAN SEA (May 23, 2008) by MCC Ty Swartz.	Robert M. Cieri
	1003k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)** steam in formation in the Andaman Sea. The Essex ARG is standing by in international waters off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. US Navy photo # 080523-N-4010S-170 ANDAMAN SEA (May 23, 2008) by MCC Ty Swartz.	Robert M. Cieri
	1254k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)** steam in formation in the Andaman Sea. The Essex ARG is standing by in international waters off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.. US Navy photo # 080523-N-4010S-323 ANDAMAN SEA (May 23, 2008) by MCC Ty Swartz.	Robert M. Cieri
	1687k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) steams through the Andaman Sea. The lead ship in the Essex Amphibious Ready Group** is standing by in international waters off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. US Navy photo # 080523-N-4010S-069 ANDAMAN SEA (May 23, 2008) by MCC Ty Swartz.	Robert M. Cieri
	2102k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) sails through intermittent heavy rain during a transit through the Singapore Strait. Essex*, lead ship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, is returning to scheduled operations after leaving the international waters off the coast of Burma. US Navy photo # 080607-N-5067K-099 SINGAPORE STRAIT (June 7, 2008) by* MC1 Michael D. Kennedy.	Robert M. Cieri
	774k	Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC-63), assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU-5) Detachment Western Pacific, flies by *USS Essex* (LHD-2)*, 26 August 2008, in preparation for up-coming humanitarian disaster relief exercises between the partner nations of the United States and Japan. US Navy photo # 080826-N-0120A-125 TOKYO (Aug. 26, 2008) by* MC2 Mark R. Alvarez.	Robert M. Cieri
	832k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) pulls into Tokyo, 27 August 2008, for a scheduled port visit and disaster management drill. At the request of the Tokyo Metropolitan government, Essex will be involved in the evacuation phase of this year's Tokyo Metropolitan government and Kanagawa Prefecture government disaster response drill. Essex** is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. US Navy photo # 080827-N-0120A-104 TOKYO (Aug. 27, 2008) by MC2 Mark R. Alvarez.	Robert M. Cieri
	1847k	Landing craft air cushion *LCAC-63), assigned to Assault Craft Unit* (ACU-5), enters the well deck of *USS Essex* (LHD-2), 1 September 2008, while transporting simulated evacuees from Yokosuka, Japan. At the request of the Kanagawa Prefecture Government, Essex** is participating in the evacuation phase of this year's Kanagawa Prefecture Government disaster response drill. US Navy photo # 080901-N-5253W-002 SEA OF JAPAN (Sept. 1, 2008) by MC3 Gabriel S. Weber.	Robert M. Cieri
	1889k	*USS Essex* (LHD-2) is assisted from her berth by tugs as she departs for a scheduled deployment, 19 September 2008. Essex** is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed amphibious force commander. US Navy photo # 080919-N-0807W-418 SASEBO, Japan (Sept. 19, 2008) by MC2 Joshua J. Wahl.	Robert M. Cieri
	379k	The forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship *USS Tortuga* (LSD-46) approaches the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204), already alongside USS Essex (LHD-2)** for a refueling-at-sea, preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. US Navy photo # 090206-N-5253W-020 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.	Robert M. Cieri
	289k	The amphibious dock landing ship *USS Tortuga* (LSD-46), left, and USS Essex (LHD-2), right, steam alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204), with the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49)** close behind, during an refueling at sea, preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. US Navy photo # 090206-N-5253W-085 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.	Robert M. Cieri and Lee Wahler
090206-N-5253W-127	282k	The amphibious dock landing ship *USS Tortuga* (LSD-46), left, and the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), right, receive fuel from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204)** during a refueling at sea preparing for Cobra Gold 2009. Cobra Gold is an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-pacific forces. The exercise will include humanitarian projects with participants from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. US Navy photos; # 090206-N-5253W-127 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) and # 090206-N-5253W-176 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber.	Robert M. Cieri
090206-N-5253W-176	415k		Robert M. Cieri

USS Essex (LHD-2) Memorabilia
Commissioning Program Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	Ships Characteristics - Litton Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

There is no DANFS history available for USS Essex (LHD-2) at NavSource

Histories/Command Operations Reports submitted by Essex (LHD 2)

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
USS Essex Association
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Essex (LHD-2)
Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R)

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Last Updated 29 May 2009