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Essex Earns Eighth Battle "E"

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080303-19
Release Date: 3/3/2008 2:42:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Ty Swartz, USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) received welcome news Feb. 29, when Capt. Brent Canady, Essex' commanding officer announced that Essex had won the Battle Efficiency "E" award for a second consecutive year and the eighth time in the ship's 15-year history.

The announcement came as the ship was completing bilateral training with the Republic of the Philippines during Balikatan 2008, off the coast of the Philippines.

"Today marks another achievement in Essex' proud legacy," said Canady. "Earning the Battle 'E' for the second consecutive year is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication our Sailors exhibit on a daily basis. This award also reinforces my belief that when every member of our great team works together and executes our mission, our efforts will get recognized. Today Essex received that recognition with one of our Navy's most prestigious command awards."

The Battle "E," is presented to commands that prove their expertise in four warfare categories: Maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control and logistics. The categories were graded during a 12-month period as Essex performed several inspections and exercises during frequent underway periods. Upon completion of the observation period, Essex was compared with other ships in its category and was judged as deserving the top spot.

Essex now has the right to paint a stripe on the superstructure, to indicate consecutive awards, under the white letter "E," showing the rest of the Navy why the ship is known as "The Iron Gator." Essex Sailors are also authorized to wear the Battle "E" ribbon for the remainder of their time in the service.

"Winning the Battle 'E' is validation of the command's high standards and the hard work Essex Sailors dedicated to the ship during the last year," said Essex Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Dave Bentley. "This award is not for just one division or department, but the combined effort of the entire crew, who worked together to complete the mission and achieve success."

For more news from Essex, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd2/.