Amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX (LHD 2), flagship of the ESSEX Amphibious Prepared Group (ESX ARG), together with San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), Harpers Ferry-class dock touchdown ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked eleventh Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) entered the U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations, Sept. 12. Whereas within the U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations, the ESX ARG and eleventh MEU will function and prepare alongside regional and coalition companions.

As an inherently versatile maneuver power, able to supporting routine and contingency operations, the ARG/MEU’s presence demonstrates the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps dedication to regional companions and maritime safety.
The U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations encompasses about 2.5 million sq. miles of water and consists of the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Purple Sea and components of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 nations and consists of three essential choke factors on the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb on the southern tip of Yemen.

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Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) transits the Arabian Sea, Sept. 13. The Essex Amphibious Prepared Group is deployed to the U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations to make sure maritime stability and safety within the Central Area, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific by way of the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke factors. (U.S. Navy picture by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)

USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class Touchdown Helicopter Dock (LHD) in service with america Navy. The amphibious assault ship was constructed at what’s now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was launched 23 February 1991 and commissioned on 17 October 1992 whereas moored at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island. She is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts. Essex served because the command ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Seven till changed by USS Bonhomme Richard on 23 April 2012.

The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of america Navy. It has been chargeable for naval forces within the Persian Gulf, Purple Sea, Arabian Sea, and components of the Indian Ocean since 1995 after a 48-year hiatus. It shares a commander and headquarters with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain. Fifth Fleet/NAVCENT is a element command of, and reviews to, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Established in 1944, the Fifth Fleet performed in depth operations towards Japanese forces within the Central Pacific throughout World Struggle II.

Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG) Enters United States Fifth Fleet
Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), proper, amphibious dock touchdown ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), left, and amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), transit the Arabian Sea, Sept. 13. (U.S. Navy picture by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)