MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- "Our job is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all," said legendary American Sailor John Paul Jones. "To this solemn purpose we call the young, the brave, the strong and the free. Heed my call. Come to the sea. Come sail with me."
Over 2,000 Sailors and Marines have heeded the call and sailed out with the USS Essex, currently in port in Sasebo, Japan. The ship is standing down for the holidays and undergoing routine repairs, said Chief Petty Officer Leonard Cole, Essex command career counselor.
Cole was one of three chiefs who led Marines and Sailors from Combat Service Support Detachment 36 on a tour of the ship Dec 29.
"The tour was planned as both a PME and as a morale booster," said Lt. Col. Dale Houck, commanding officer for CSSD-36. "The intent was to show the Marines (and Sailors) what shipboard life on an amphibious ship is like and what they could expect if they ever deploy as part of an amphibious force.
"We chose the USS Essex because it is the second ship in the all-new WASP (LHD 1) class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and is relatively new, commissioned in 1992," Houck said. "The ship is unique and important to the Marine Corps because it can carry a significant amount of assault support aircraft (up to 42 CH-46's) and has a large well deck, a rare but important combination."
Lance Cpl. John Andrew Knowles, CSSD-36 barracks manager, agreed that the facilities and capability of the ship were impressive. "I thought it was pretty amazing how short the flight deck was considering that the planes can take off and land in that tight of space."
Since being commissioned in 1992, the ship has established an impressive history. Some of the highlights have been participation in the withdrawal of the multinational force from Somalia in Operation United Shield in 1995, replacing the USS Belleau Wood in Sasebo in 2000 for the largest hull swap in U.S. Naval history, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in East Timor in 2001.
Currently, the ship facilitates the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). It's principle mission is to conduct prompt, sustained operations at sea, primarily as the centerpiece and flagship of the Amphibious Ready Group.
"We exist to support the (Marine Expeditionary Unit)," said Cole. "Whatever they want to do, that's what we do. That's why the ship was built. That's why we're here."
LHDs provide the means to transport, deploy, command and support all elements of a Marine landing force of over 2,000 troops during an assault by air and amphibious craft.
Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned, as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
In carrying out its primary mission, the 844-foot long, 44,000-ton Essex will transport and land ashore troops, tanks, trucks, artillery and other supplies necessary to support an assault.
"The Marines were very impressed with what they saw," said Houck. "Even though the ship was in port and had no equipment aboard, they were able to imagine what it would be like with embarked aircraft, vehicles, other equipment, full crew and almost 2,000 Marines aboard. Several of the Marines now have a newfound respect for the Sailors and what they do and the conditions they work under. That was probably their most important takeaway."
Imagining living on the Essex, Knowles commented, "Ship life is very cramped with very tight spaces. I'd have to duck my head a lot. I'd get used to it, but I have a lot of respect for the Sailors working on that ship."