Essex Wraps Up Spring Patrol '07
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070417-16
Release Date: 4/17/2007 10:11:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy L. Wood, USS Essex Public Affairs
SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) returned to Sasebo on April 16 after a successful Spring Patrol 2007.
The Essex crew of more than 1,100 Sailors was joined by two other Essex Amphibious Readiness Group ships: amphibious dock transport USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10). The 2,200 Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), who disembarked in Okinawa on April 11, also participated in the patrol.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work and exceptional performance our Sailors and Marines displayed during spring patrol,” said Essex Commanding Officer Capt. Brian T. Donegan.
"As part of the Forward-Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF), we are obligated to maintain peak operational readiness at all times. This extremely challenging series of realistic exercises and evaluations proved that the Essex team will be ready when called to support our nation and strategic partners," Donegan said.
On April 11, Essex showed its appreciation to its partners in the Pacific region with a spring reception for more than 60 Japanese, Filipino, and American military, government and business officials and associates.
“I am very proud to stand with these … talented commanders,” said Rear Adm. Carol Pottenger, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, during the reception. “They represent our large team of Sailors and Marines, who are committed to peace and stability to throughout the region. We value your friendship and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you in the challenges and makings of the 21st century."
Essex departed Sasebo on Jan. 24 for spring patrol and began an extensive demonstration of every one of its amphibious capabilities as part of a periodic certification inspection. The five-day certification required Essex to conduct modern amphibious warfare operations off the western coast of Japan. Inspectors from Naval Beach Group 1, from Coronado, Calif., evaluated the ship‘s proficiency as “picture perfect.”
After embarking the 31st MEU in Okinawa, the Essex Navy-Marine Corps team concentrated on complex amphibious readiness group exercises that stressed the coordination of air and maritime assets to protect and assault near-shore regions and beachheads. Essex emphasized exercising against integrated attacks from small boats and aircraft using realistic maneuvering targets while simultaneously supporting the 31st MEU as they conducted night and all-weather assaults against inshore objectives.
Essex also completed the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability and Final Evaluation Period, March 11-15. Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP) praised the crew for effectively employing ship's weapon systems against a large-scale threat and controlling complex battle damage during challenging training exercises.
Essex achieved the best marks for damage control and integrated training teams of a large-deck ship according to ATGWP evaluators.
“When put in real world situations, the type commander can be more confident assigning Essex critical tasks,” said Lt. Anthony D. Pangjogie, ATGWP liaison officer. “Essex is the best in the FDNF.”
The patrol continued with maritime operations throughout the waters near Japan and Korea, including two large-scale bilateral exercises with Republic of Korea (ROK): Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSOI), followed by Exercise Foal Eagle 07.
RSOI focused on operational coordination of forces in Korean theater of operations, including receiving units in the theater; matching unit personnel to equipment once in country; moving arriving forces into strategic position and integrating those forces with pre-positioned units.
Foal Eagle followed RSOI by integrating more than 4,400 U.S. and ROK Sailors, Marines, and Soldiers into a combined amphibious task force that included more than 12 ships from both countries.
Before pulling into Sasebo, Essex made a transit to a test range near Yokosuka for two final certifications from Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation Facility. The range provided Essex an opportunity to calibrate air and missile defenses, as well as critical air traffic control systems.
Essex is the only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
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