Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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OpeTati-onsuepartmen t 1 CDR Mark Donahue Department Head perations Department makes it hap- pen! Essential to every mission that ■ ESSEX conducts. Operations depart- ment personnel are involved in all stages of the planning process from initial formula- tion through final execution. Some of the key responsibilities that fall on the talented people in Ops Depart- ment include: scheduling and coordination of all events, devising and executing tactical strategy, gathering and disseminating op- erational and signal intelligence, control- ling fixed wing and rotary aircraft, predict- ing the weather, and providing journalistic and photographic coverage of all events. The nerve center of every amphibious exer- cise, both on the surface with LCACs and in the air, is within Ops Department. We fight the war! Comprised of five divisions totaling just over 100 personnel. Operations Department ' s highly skilled warfighters have been major contributors to ESSEX ' many accomplishments, most notably in the 1997 Battle E award. The Aerographer ' s Mates, Air Traffic Controllers, Operations Specialists, Cryptological Technicians, In- telligence Spedalists, Journalists, and Pho- tographers Mates who make up the Ops department epitomize the talent and dedi- cation of Team ESSEX.

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OADivision A Division Aerographers provide fuU- spec-trum operational and tactical meteorologi-cal oceanographic (METOC) support to ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group staffs and ships in company. ESSEX METOC support is provided 24- hours a day consisting primarily of hourly sur- face weather observations and upper air sur- veillance using weather observers, shipboard automated sensors, and radiosonde balloon launches. Local weather briefs are provided for Navigation briefings, LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) operations, and numerous other Navy Marine Corps operations. Capable, timely, and precise, OA Divi- sion provides the best weather forecasting to mission planners and operational commanders anywhere. „„.««« AG1 BRIGGS AG1 FISHBAUGH LCDR COLUCCI AGC GEORGE AG1 WATSON AGS ENNIS RIGHT: Weather balloon launches give ESSEX up- to-the-minute weather information.