ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group [Image 20 of 44]

USS ESSEX (LHD 2), AT SEA

07.07.2009

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Alvarez 

Defense Imagery Management Operations Center     

Chock and chainmen, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), cross the flight deck to prepare an AH1-W Super Cobra helicopter, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Six Two (HMM-262) for take-off. HMM-262 is debarking Essex to return to the U.S. as a part of their scheduled overseas rotation. Essex, commanded by Capt. Brent Canady, is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed expeditionary strike group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

• Date Taken: 07.07.2009
• Date Posted: 10.04.2014 08:05
• Photo ID: 1580564
• VIRIN: 090707-N-RU841-026
• Resolution: 2520x1800
• Size: 763.81 KB
• Location: USS ESSEX (LHD 2), AT SEA