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WestPac 96197 From the Sea By J02 Lee Rankins The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX QLHD 25 left its homeport of San Diego Oct. 10 for WestPac, a six- month deployment to the western Pacific and surrounding areas. ES SEX was the command ship for the ES SEX Amphibious Task Group which included USS Cleveland QLPD 75 and USS Harpers Ferry CLSD 495. Together, the three ships made their way west on a tour of Far and Middle East ports. For many of the 3,000 Sailors and Marines aboard ESSEX, WestPac '96-'97 was a new experience. ESSEX, commanded by Capt. Thomas F. Radich, and part of PHIBRON FIVE, traveled with a full complement of about 2,000 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. ESSEX' amphibious capabilities were tested in various exercises throughout the deployment. The Iron Gator uses helicopters, Harrier VSTOL jets, Landing Craft Air Cushion CLCACJ hover craft, and a number of amphibious craft to transport Marines to and from the beach. The embarked Marines have practiced beach raids, hostage rescues and all aspects of amphibious warfare throughout 1996 and into 1997 to be ready for anything they may be called on to do. The crew was busy during the deployment performing exercises with other ships and military services, running flight operations and keeping the ship in good working order. Sailors and Marines also visited and explored several foreign ports including Singapore, Malaysia, Phuket Thailand, Muscat Oman, Bahrain, Perth and Sydney Australia. ESSEX left close to a month after its originally scheduled deployment date in order to take part in 4'Tandem Thrust a joint military exercise with the Australian Navy. ESSEX returned to it's homeport on April 10, 1997, completing the highly successful six- month deployment. We leave San Diego for a while to defend it's freedom and protect the rights of others. May we have fair winds, and following seas. 21 W ,gli ' 7554? :,g,-1,31 -QL' Photo: AN STARKEY -X - . ., 3,1 - , ,fill- tg - ui
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