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Essex Welcomes Republic of the Philippines Contingent on Board

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081030-03
Release Date: 10/30/2008 5:57:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson, USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie A. Kenney, and Philippine Marine Corps Deputy Commandant, Brig. Gen. Natalio Ecarma, visited the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) Oct. 26.

The visit came on the eve of a scheduled three-day port visit to Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, and gave Kenney an opportunity to directly express her appreciation for Essex Sailors' hard work and effort.

"I know the Essex has had a lot of great tours and a lot of great deployments," said Kenney. "You were off the coast of Burma, waiting to give assistance there; you've been in the Philippines before doing our annual exercises, and everywhere you go you really say to all of us that 'America is great; America is strong, and America is compassionate.' I want to thank all of you for the great work you are doing, and I'm really proud to represent each and every one of you."

During the visit, Kenney and Ecarma were treated to lunch with Essex, Amphibious Squadron 11 and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit leadership, followed by an all-hands call with Kenney, during which she took the time to personally greet many Essex Sailors.

Afterward, Kenney was given a brief tour of Essex's state-of-the-art medical facility, which has four fully equipped operating rooms and an ability to expand to a 600-bed hospital with a 14-bed intensive care unit and 46-bed in-patient medical ward, the largest at sea with the exception of hospital ships.

Essex's Commanding Officer, Capt. Brent Canady, said he hopes Kenney's support will serve as inspiration, as Essex' Sailors prepare to engage in two community relations projects during their visit in Subic Bay.

"It's good for the Sailors to know that what they're doing is appreciated," said Canady. "We have the capability and the will to make a big difference in many people's lives, and our humanitarian efforts in the Philippines are a big part of our mission."

While in Subic Bay, more than 90 Essex Sailors will spend their liberty time participating in community relations projects at the Social Development Center for Girls and the New Cabalan Elementary School in Olongapo City. Projects will include minor repair work, English lessons and personal interaction with the children.

Kenney said she appreciates the military efforts of Essex's Sailors, but is especially thankful for their humanitarian work.

"You also make a difference by getting a chance to save people's lives," said Kenney. "Whether you're saving their lives by building the schools that they can go to school in, whether you're doing medical work, or whether you're somebody on the ship whose job is helping to get the planes on and off, helping to get the helicopters loaded or feeding the folks who do all that work, you change people's lives."

Essex is the only forward-deployed U.S. amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For more news from USS Essex (LHD 2), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd2/.