Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 193 text:

It Detatchment Echo

Page 192 text:

Assault Craft Unit Five V LT B. WALLIS DET-EOIC GSCM ALLEN DET-E LCPO YN1 TUCKER SK1 BUG, ' ssault Craft Unit 5 Det ECHO, ' homebased in Camp Pendelton, CA., L played one of the most important roles during WestPac ' 98. Deployed with the ESSEX ARC are five high-speed amphibious assault Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), two onboard USS ANCHORAGE and three on ESSEX. Each craft crew consists of six enlisted personnel: a Craftsmaster, an Engi- neer, a Navigator, a Loadmaster, and two Deck Mechanics. Together they bring this awesome 200,000 lb. war machine to life. The detachment ' s Maintenance Team conducts major hull and electrical repairs ensuring the LCACs are always full mission capable. Four 4,000 horsepower gas turbine en- gines power each LCAC, enabling them to attain speeds in excess of 50 knots while fully loaded. With the ability to transport a 75 ton payload at high speeds to over 70% of the world ' s beaches by the element of surprise, the LCAC is indeed the ideal delivery vehicle for our elite fighting force in today ' s modern amphibious warfare operations. ACU-5 ' s motto: No Beach out of Reach

Page 194 text:

LCACASCrew BMC DICKMAN GSM1 PERALTA 0S1 EVERETTE BM2 DAVIS GSM2 ARREOLA FN RICCI MIDDLE LEFT: LCAC 45 ' s top 3 Engineers. MIDDLE RIGHT: Force Recon spray painted on a large box of toys to glorify photo. RIGHT: FN Ricci sitting in as the cool loadnnaster. FAR RIGHT: An engineer ' s work is never done. TOP : LCAC 45 looks tough with Kuwait City in the background.