Essex ARG Arrives Off Iwo Jima Coast
Navy NewStand
Story Number: NNS030314-04
Release Date: 3/14/2003 10:27:00 AM
From Commander, Task Force 76 Public Affairs
IWO JIMA, Japan (NNS) -- The USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrived off the coast of Iwo Jima, Japan, recently to support the 58th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which was held March 12.
Over a four day period, Essex, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), USS Juneau (LPD 10) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) used landing and aircraft to transport equipment and personnel ashore to participate in the ceremony.
Iwo Jima was the largest sustained aerial offensive of the Pacific War. The United States sent more than 110,000 Marines in 880 ships in what became the largest invasion force of the Pacific Campaign. It took 36 days of fighting and more than 25,000 U.S. casualties to break through and bring the island under American control.
The Essex ARG and 31st MEU are permanently forward-deployed to Sasebo and Okinawa, Japan.
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