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USS Essex Successfully Completes ULTRA "E"

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060707-15
Release Date: 7/7/2006 12:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) James Evans Coyle, USS Essex Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) successfully completed engineering certification during a Unit Level Training Assessment, Engineering (ULTRA E), in June, after returning from a five-and-a-half month Spring Patrol.

Essex Commanding Officer, Capt. Martin J. Keaney, said, "The hard working crew was the big factor in the success of the certifications conducted by Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATG WestPac)."

"I am very proud of our crew and their remarkable performance during the ULTRA E. Crew members prepared for it methodically, fully supporting a 160-day Spring Patrol, which ended a week prior to the ULTRA E," said Keaney. "A patrol that included three unplanned operations: humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) to Leyte Island mudslide victims and the Iwo Jima 60th Anniversary Commemoration. All of these operations required high-speed transits, which limited time available for the ship to drill with the engineering plants."

According to the main space hose team damage control training team member, Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller Maurice Coffey, the watchstanders put in a number of hours to ensure the success of the keystone of the certification, the main space fire drill.

"The crew on the hose teams kept their motivation up and did an absolutely excellent job, showing ATG that we can successfully fight a fire in either of the main spaces, if we need to do so," stated Coffey.

Keaney also stated that the ATG WestPac teams provided a solid foundation of expertise, which benefited the crew.

"The value of having outside experts, with their experience gained from inspecting many different ships, cannot be overstressed. Essex and our crew have gained valuable feedback and insights to better prepare us to operate [Essex] more safely, efficiently and effectively," said Keaney.

Essex is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship out of Sasebo, Japan, and the flagship for Amphibious Group 11, Amphibious Ready Group.

For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.