Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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holds throughout the ship to staging areas for loading. Cargo to be loaded aboard waiting landing craft within the well deck is moved via a unique monorail system. This system consists of 2,900 feet of track in a four-bay layout directly over the ship ' s vehicle storage area and well deck. Nine 32-foot cargo monorail trains, each with a capacity of 6,000 pounds, carry material at a speed of up to 600 feet-per-minute (6.8 miles per hour) from the staging area to landing craft in the well deck. Off the beach, ESSEX landing craft are launched and recovered through a huge gate in the ship ' s stern which opens ESSEX ' 1 3,000 square-foot well deck to the sea. The well deck is 267 feet long and 50 feet wide, and is designed specifically for the fly-in fly-out capabilities of the LCAC. The well deck will accommo- date air cushion landing craft, as well as a full range of conven- tional landing craft. To launch and recover conventional landing craft, the ship can ballast over 1 5,000 tons of sea waterto allow these craft to float into and out of the well deck.

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USS Essex ESSEX (LHD 2) is the second ship in the LHD Class of U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ships. The mission of these ships is to conduct prompt, sustained operations at sea, primarily as the centerpiece of the Navy ' s amphibious groups. LHD ' s provide the means to transport, deploy, command and support all elements of a Marine landing force in assault by air and amphibious craft. The WASP Class is the first specifically designed by a joint Navy Marine Corps team to use air cushion landing craft (LCAC) for the assault and to carry Harrier II (AV-8B) jump jets, for close air support of the assault force. LHD ' s accommodate the full range of Navy and Marines Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles, along with all the tanks, trucks, jeeps, other vehicles, artillery, ammunition and other supplies necessary to fully support the assault. ESSEX has an assault support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. Six 1 2- by 25-foot cargo elevators transport materials and supplies from cargo The Helicopters The Harrier

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USS ESSEX Commanding Officer Captain John A. Cassidy Captain John Alexander Cassidy graduated from Villanova University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and was commissioned an Ensign through the NROTC Program. He entered flight training in Pensacola, Florida in June of 1969 and was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 1970. Captain Cassidy ' s first assignment was Helicopter Attack Squadron Light Three (HAL-3) in Vietnam. He was assigned to Detach- ment Three and served as an Attack Helicopter Aircraft Commander and Fire Team Leader flying UH-IB helicopter gunships. In 1972, he was assigned to the person- nel exchange program with the Royal Navy. As the first American to fly the Wasp, he served with 703, 706, 829 Squadrons, homeported in Dorset, England, United Kingdom. He made deployments as the Officer-In-Charge of HMS Diomede, HMS Rothesay and HMS Minerva detachments. In August 1974, he was chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the World Helicopter Championships. Returning to the United States Navy in November 1974, Captain Cassidy was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light Thirty (HSL-30) in addition to serving as a flight instructor in the SH-2F, he served as the Assistant Opera- tions Officer, Line Division Officer and syllabus coordinator. After completing Tactical Action Officer (TAO) school in December 1977, Captain Cassidy was assigned to HSL-34. He served as the LAMPS detachment Officer-In- Charge aboard USS RIDDLE (CG-34), USS JESSE L. BROWN (FF-1089), USS JOSEPH HEWES {FF-1078) and USS VOGUE (FF-1047) for deployed operations, and the training officer ashore. During this tour he conducted the initial fleet operations for the SQR-18a towed acoustic array with DIFAR equipped LAMPS MKI. In November 1979, aboard USS PETERSON (DD-969), he made his 2000th small ship deck landing. In August 1980, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Helicopter Sea Control Wing One where he served as Operations and Tactical Development Officer. In March 1983, Captain Cassidy reported to the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet where he served as the LAMPS MK III Introduction Officer and the Force NATOPS and Training Officer. In February 1986, he reported to HSL-44 at Naval Air Facility, Mayport and assumed command during the squadron establishment ceremony on 21 August 1986. In January 1988, Captain Cassidy reported to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) where he served as Executive Officer and as Navigator. From June 1990 to July 1991 Captain Cassidy was a Chief of Naval Operations fellow and was assigned to the CNO ' s strategic studies groups at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Cassidy served as Commanding Officer, USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) from December 1991 to June 1993, conducting 2nd and 6th Fleet Operations from the Caribbean to north of the Arctic Circle. Captain Cassidy ' s awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 19 Air Strike Medals, 3 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V , Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and several unit commendations and campaign medals. He is a native of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and is married to the former Janet M. N. Sloane of Melbourne, Australia. They have a daughter, Moyra Ann.