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Essex Celebrates 14 Years in the Fleet

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061024-16
Release Date: 10/24/2006 12:14:00 PM

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

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) celebrated 14 years as a commissioned U.S. Navy ship with a cake cutting ceremony on the ship’s mess decks Oct. 17.

The legacy of being aboard “The Iron Gator” remains a proud part of past and present Sailors lives, said Essex Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW/AW) William T. Etherton.

The ship was commissioned in 1992 in San Diego with ship’s sponsor Lynne Cheney, wife of then Secretary of Defense and now Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney, slamming the ceremonial champagne bottle into the ship’s bow.

Essex has received many awards over the 14 years, including all of the warfare excellence awards, six battle "E" awards and numerous Pacific Fleet Retention Honor Roll recognitions, which allow the ship to paint its anchor gold for its retention excellence. Essex was homeported in San Diego until July 2000, when she participated in the largest hull swap in the Navy with the now decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHD 3) in Sasebo, Japan.

The massive cake constructed for the birthday took on an added precedence and importance for Essex Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Markus Ramirez when the order came in. Ramirez went about his job knowing the cake had to be something special, something worthy for the 14 years Essex and her crew has admirably served aboard the legendary ship.

“I really felt a lot of internal pressure to make the best cake I have ever made,” said Ramirez. “When it was all done and I saw the expression of the crew, Command Master Chief Etherton, and Capt. Donegan when it was on the mess deck, I knew I had done it.”

From the edible miniature helicopters and landing craft utility (LCU) trailing the ship, most Essex Sailors felt every small detail of the delicious birthday cake was impressive. Ramirez said he appreciated the Bravo Zulu for all his hard work.

“I’ve been here seven months and I’ve talked with people from each department. From engineering to air department, deck and combat systems, everyone gets a nice sense of accomplishment when they put in something that’s well received,” said Ramirez. “Times can be tough here like any job, but Essex wouldn’t be as successful as she’s been without all the people working so hard to make the mission happen, day-in and day-out."

Ramirez added that he hopes he can be a part of another of Essex' accomplishments.

“I felt really honored and really great inside that everyone liked what I created with the Essex birthday cake. Hopefully we can win the upcoming Ney award [Essex is currently in the finals for the prestigious annual Navy food service award] and that will add to all the many things Essex has won over the years,” said Ramirez.

Through the years, many Sailors have come aboard Essex early in their Navy careers and jumped at the chance to return. Current Essex First Class Petty Officer’s Association President, Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW) Johnathan C. Dean, was a fireman aboard Essex from January 1994 to May 1997, leaving the ship then as a third class petty officer. Dean noted when he saw the Essex job open again, the opportunity to come back was one he couldn’t pass on.

“I was aboard Essex for her first two maiden voyages,” said Dean. “And I got my first three Battle ’E’ awards when I was with Essex before. I picked the ship on purpose, and although we do get underway a bit more than when the ship was in San Diego, I don’t regret coming here at all.”

Essex, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is participating in two annual bilateral exercises with the Republic of the Philippines, Talon Vision 07 (TV) 07 and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 07, with the armed forces of the Philippines (AFP). Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) based in Sasebo, Japan, and reports to Commander, Task Force 76, headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan with an operating detachment in Sasebo.