Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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' in 41- 253,41 iam, 'ei 'ak A .f'-. 'i ,Lit I I smut' --v-1-1-1-f A- -Via '-r'v'-1'-1'-1-' lil r' '1- 1- -1'-v -1 z..,a M .. , -fffi l ESSEX 'weathers storm' in TANDEM THRUST '97 By J O2 David J. Myers Ask someone what's important to achieving victory in war, and youill get many different answers. Better technology, better training, highly-motivated troops - all are important in case of a conflict. But one of the most important keys to victory has to be flexibility - the ability to think on your feet, to adapt and overcome. This is exactly what the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX CLHD 25 and its embarked Marines of the llth Marine Expeditionary Unit CSpecial Operations Capableb did during exercise TANDEM THRUST '97, TANDEM THRUST '97 was a major event that had been planned for two years. It involved American Sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen, as well as their Australian counterparts. Over 28,000 personnel, 250 aircraft and 40 naval vessels were to be involved in a carefully orchestrated exercise from March l-22 that was to train U.S. and Australian troops in crisis action planning and execution for contingency response operations in the Pacific. Instead, something a little different happened - JUSTIN. Tropical cyclone JUSTIN, that is, whose presence off the Shoalwater Bay Training Area on Australia's northeast coast caused two years of planning to be severely modified. It was an experience that allowed ESSEX not only to work with other services and countries, but to practice those important warfighting skills - adaptability and flexibility - skills that improve ESSEX, chances to fight, and win, the next time it sails in har'm's way. ABOVE: Combat Cargo personnel assist Marines in the hangar bay prepare for their longjourney. BELOW: Col. Blose, Commanding Ojficer, llth MEU I SOC 1 describes ALL PHOTOS THIS PAGE: PH1fAWj ABELL the days events to visiting officials in the hangar bay. a7' .eg 238 X I - u'l0llli .f Hia--M., 5904

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PHOTO PH2 PHOTO: PH1fAWj ABELL ABOVE.' Marines await their turn to load up into CH-53 Helosfor the ride to the beach at Shoalwater Bay, Australia. BELOW: Various helos and LCAC worked long hours transporting Marines. ll--1.-, PHOT0: PH2 LEWIS PHOTO: PH2 LEWIS 239 pg, S thus? ' J:- -ipig 3,53 ie. ' 3-2. 1- 'wx-5. Q - hiafi' lk -LC f, X