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Essex Sailors, Marines Prep for Building Relations as part of Balikatan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090409-21
Release Date: 4/9/2009 9:53:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taurean Alexander

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) completed onloading more than 1,400 Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) April 8 as part of Essex Amphibious Ready Group's (ESX ARG) participation in exercise Balikatan 2009 at the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines.

"It's a pleasure to be invited by the Philippine government to take part in Balikatan 2009," said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex' commanding officer.

"It really is a great opportunity to conduct training vital to maintaining the readiness and the interoperability of the U.S. and Philippines' military forces."

The exercise will consist of humanitarian and civic events designed to improve U.S. and Republic of Philippines relations, including multiple medical, dental, veterinary and building projects, as well as military cross-training and field-training exercises throughout the Philippines. The term Balikatan is a Tagalog word that means "shoulder-to-shoulder," and characterizes the philosophy and intent of the exercise.

The 31st MEU consists of ground, command, air and combat support elements that allow ESX ARG to conduct amphibious operations from the sea and project power ashore.

Essex' Combat Cargo Department moved approximately 75 vehicles and 300 pieces of MEU cargo. They also helped move elements of the battalion landing team, the ground combat element, aviation combat element and combat logistics battalion. In all, they refitted and transferred 30 aircraft. Their extensive arsenal includes CH-53E Sea Stallion, CH-46E Sea Hawk, AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters, as well as AV-8B Harrier jet aircrafts.

"This was my first time coordinating the on-load on Essex," said Gunnery Sgt. Jorge Jerez, well deck combat cargo assistant. "I think we performed a successful on-load, and everyone did a great job accomplishing the mission."

Essex Sailors and 31st MEU Marines are scheduled to participate in four community relations projects while in the Philippines. Activities will include minor repair, cleaning, painting and interacting with the children.

"These community relations projects are such a great way for Essex to build relations with our host nation, the Philippines," said Lt. Jason Rochester, an Essex chaplain. "It benefits Essex and allows Sailors the opportunity to broaden their horizons and see how fortunate we are to be able to give back to less fortunate."

Many Marines look forward to participating in community relations opportunities.

"I'm looking forward to helping out; it's an awesome opportunity to be able to help the less fortunate and interact with Filipinos," said Cpl. Steven Cruz from Fort Worth, Texas.

Cruz said he is also looking forward to the opportunity to conduct hands-on training at sea.

"I think the training we do will be very good. It's always good to better yourself and the at-sea training should be exciting," Cruz said.

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. amphibious ready group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.