Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 244 text:

THANKSCIVINC. Even though ESSEX was thousands of miles from home and Mom ' s home cooking, the hard-working supply department put on a phenomenal spread for Thanksgiv- ing. Belts were loosened in the Wardroom, Chief ' s Mess and on the Messdeck. If you look at the bottom of the opposite page, you ' ll see a very rare site! Yup... That ' s the Flying Squad Christmas Carolers.

Page 246 text:

CLOCKWISE from upper left: A Landing Signal Enlistedman brings in an Air Combat Element aircraft for one of the more than 5000 safe landings made on ESSEX ' Flight Deck. The CH-46 Helicopter was a workhorse during the deployment meeting every mission throughout the deployment. A CH-53 Sea Stallion comes in for a landing - this helicopter is capable of carrying the heaviest pay load in the U.S. Military.