• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Essex Says Sayonara to 3/5 BLT, Offloads 31st MEU

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090816-06
Release Date: 8/16/2009 9:14:00 PM

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

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) offloaded the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Aug. 13 after successfully completing Talisman Saber 2009.

During the offload, Essex Sailors and combat cargo Marines moved approximately 75 vehicles and 300 pieces of MEU cargo as well as dozens of aircraft assigned to the 31st MEU's Aviation Combat Element (ACE). This offload was especially significant for Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (BLT 3/5), which debarked Essex for the last time.

Elements of the 31st MEU typically rotate annually. BLT 3/5 Marines are returning to their homeport of Camp Pendleton, Calif. Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (BLT 2/5), will take its place with the 31st MEU.

"It's been a great experience," said Marine Capt. Matthew Esposito, company commander, Headquarters and Service Co., BLT 3/5. "We were rotating in and out of Iraq before coming here, and it's been completely different. We've done a complete 180 and are now focused on ship-to-shore movement. In the time we've been here, we've learned a lot about moving an entire element from the ship to the beach."

Throughout the past year, BLT 3/5 has been a key element in numerous exercises throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including exercises Cobra Gold, Balikatan and Talisman Saber.

"Being able to train in different types of environments has been helpful," said Cpl. Andrew Desoto, a BLT 3/5 rifleman from Tucson, Ariz. "We've been able to work with other countries' militaries and compare tactics and techniques."

Throughout their tenure aboard Essex, BLT 3/5 Marines also took the opportunity to experience some of Asia's most unique locations.

"It's been really fun," said Cpl. Jake Simmerman, a BLT 3/5 rifleman from Houston. "I've had a chance to see some different places throughout Asia, some places I wouldn't have been able to see on my own dollar, and it's an altogether totally different world over here."

While BLT 3/5 Marines have taken advantage of forward-deployed training and exotic port visits, most of them are looking forward to returning home.

The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in 7th Fleet at all times as part of III Marine Expeditionary Force and is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

Essex is commanded by Capt. Troy Hart and is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Amphibious Ready Group and serves as the flagship for Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. CTF 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.