LHD 2 is the second ship in the all new Wasp class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and was commissioned on October 17, 1992, in San Diego, CA. The mission of the Essex is to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea, as the centerpiece of the Navy's amphibious strategy...From the Sea. She is designed to carry a full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, Harrier II (AV-8B) Jump Jets, Air Cushion Landing Craft (LCAC), and many other landing craft and amphibious vehicles.

USS Essex is the 5th ship to bear the name dating back to the frigate which was launched in Salem, Mass. on September 30, 1799.

The amphibious assault ship departed San Diego on her maiden deployment on October 25, 1994, during which, was a major participant in the withdrawal of the Multinational force from Somalia in Operation United Shield. LHD 2 Amphibious Ready Group returned home in April 1995. During western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployment she served as the flagship for the ARG under the command of Commodore Gary W. Stubbs, commander, Amphibious Squadron 5. The other ships in the USS Essex ARG were the amphibious transport dock USS Ogden and the landing ship dock USS Fort Fisher. Marines embarked in the ARG were from the 13th MEU, consisting of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (reinforced) and MEU Service Support Group 13.

In late 1996 the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group and the USS Essex ARG were forward deployed to a variety of regions for six months, including the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. While deployed, they conducted multi-national operations, demonstrated operational primacy over the full spectrum of maritime warfighting operations, tested new technologies at sea and extended U.S. goodwill and ambassadorship with various nations. Rim-of-the-Pacific 1996 (RIMPAC 96) is a biennial exercise designed to enhance interoperability and proficiency of multinational and bilateral forces operating in response to short-notice littoral missions. The Amphibious Ready Group spent several months operating and training in the Arabian Gulf and conducting port visits in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. LHD 2, LPD 7 and LSD 49 participated in the Seventh Fleet exercise Tandem Thrust 97, a combined and joint exercise between the U.S. and Australian armed forces at the Shoal Water Bay training area in Queensland, Australia. More than 28 ships and 1200 Marines, including the Independence and Kitty Hawk carrier battle groups, the Essex amphibious ready group with the 11th MEU embarked, and U.S. Coast Guard vessels participated in RIMPAC '96. The three amphibious ships returned to San Diego April 10, 1997.

In July 2000, LHD 2 took part in the Navy's largest crew swap to date when she arrived in Sasebo, Japan, to relieve the USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) which was forward deployed to Sasebo since the fall of 1992. The swap was part of a planned rotation of forward deployed naval forces in Japan, and was the third crew-swap exchange. The ships’ crews simply switched ships, minimizing the impact of moving families from homeport to homeport. Belleau Wood and the San Diego-based crew then returned to San Diego in mid-August to begin overhaul and maintenance cycles.

October 31, 2001 USS Essex ARG and 31st MEU, including USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), arrived off the coast of Dili, East Timor, recently to assist the U.S. Support Group East Timor with humanitarian and civic assistance projects. Approximately 1,000 Sailors and Marines will support community relations projects, including medical and dental assistance, general engineering and construction, and transport and delivery of sports equipment and infrastructure materials in Dili, Suai and Oecussi in the Southeast Asian country. The visit, part of the United States' ongoing commitment to East Timor, will focus on efforts to improve basic health and social conditions and the quality of life for the people of East Timor. The forces were scheduled to remain on station for approximately three days before continuing their current underway training period.

March 12, 2002 USS Essex arrived off the coast of Iwo Jima to support the 57th Anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima, set to be held March 14. Over the next four days, LHD 2, USS Juneau (LPD 10), USS Germantown (LSD 42), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), will use landing craft and aircraft to transport equipment and personnel participating in the ceremony. The Amphibious Ready Group has been conducting at-sea amphibious training since March 7. The training period, called "Blue-Green Workups," serves to integrate and familiarize the Navy and Marine Corps with each other's procedures and capabilities, enabling all the ships and units to operate as one cohesive team.

September 5, 2002 After just finishing participation in combined exrcise Ulchi Focus Lens 2002 with the Republic of Korea and the United States Combined Forces Command, USS Essex participate in trasport 900 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force from Pohang, ROK afected by incoming Typhoon "Rusa".

January 2003, LHD 2 is currently conducting biannual Training in an Urban Environment Exercise.

February 25, The Sasebo-based ship pulled to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa.

March 10, 2003 USS Essex ARG are off the coast of Iwo Jima to participate in 58th commemoration of the historic WW II battle.

In April 2003 the amphibious assault ship deployed as the flagship of the Navy's first expeditionary strike group while taking part in the biennial joint exercise Tandem Thrust 2003 off the Mariana Islands with forces from the United States, Canada and Australia. Designated Expeditionary Strike Group - Forward Deployed Naval Force (ESG-FDNF) the ESG was part of a 17-ship force, including the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group, participating in TT-03.

In August 2003 the Essex completed a maintenance period that included installing a new non-skid surface on the ship's 820-foot flight deck, hangar deck and aircraft elevators. Flight deck lighting, electrical power and aircraft landing systems were also replaced. In mid-August 2003 she also completed an aviation readiness qualification. The ARQ required the crew to conduct several drills, including firefighting on the flight deck and hangar bay, in addition to firefighting drills in the fuel pump rooms located below decks.

September 2003, LHD 2 ARG is currently off the coast of the Philippines to participate in Blue/Green Workups, a bi-annual joint training exercise with the 31st MEU.

In March 2004 the amphibious assault ship successfuly completed the joint U.S. - ROK naval exercise Foal Eagle '04.

June 15, USS Essex pulled to Naval Base Sasebo, Japan, after two month on deployment.

August 17, The Essex was catched by tropical storm "Megi" while moored along the pier at White Beach Port Facility, Okinawa.

October 13, The amphibious assault ship provided medical assistance to a coalition Sailor while operating in the North Arabian Gulf. Essex's Medical Department responded to the call for assistance when a sailor aboard Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Adelaide (FFG 1) became ill and needed immediate treatment.

January 10, 2005 LHD 2 is being loaded with various equipment and supplies, in port off Bahrain, as the ship prepares to deploy to support Operation Unified Assistance.

January 18, USS Essex relieved USS Bonhomme Richard off the coast of Sumatra.

February 11, Commander, Combined Support Force 536, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Rusty Blackman, presented the Essex Commanding Officer, Capt. J. M. van Tol, a plaque Feb. 9 in appreciation of the ship's significant contributions and support to the victims of the December 26 earthquake and tsunami. Essex' assets moved 5,971,000 million pounds of relief supplies to devastated areas of Indonesia from January 18 until February 8. The amphibious assault ship will be backloading the 31st MEU Marines and their gear at the end of the month as the Marines finish a tour of duty in Iraq.

February 27, A memorial service was held in the Essex hangar bay in remembrance of fallen Sailors and Marines of the 31st MEU while the ship was anchored off the coast of Bahrain. The 31st MEU spent the previous six months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Forty-eight Marines and two hospital corpsmen lost their lives during the deployment to Iraq.

March 23, LHD 2 pulled to Phuket, Thailand, for four-day port visit.

April 6, USS Essex returned to Naval Station Sasebo, Japan, from an eight-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Unified Assistance.

July 6, The amphibious assault ship is currently participating in Amphibious Specialty Training, which certifies the well deck for operations.

August 26, USS Essex took another step to replace the "non-skid" aboard the ship, using a hydro-blast method, a method that is saving valuable man-hours and money during the ship's current selected restricted availability (SRA) period. Non-skid is a deck covering that prevents equipment, people and aircraft from slipping or sliding. More than 130,000 square feet of ship's non-skid is expected to be replaced. That includes 844 feet of the flight deck, the massive hangar bay, vehicle stowage areas, other wind tunnels and passageways that require the Navy's standard skid-resistant deck coating.

October 8, LHD 2 recently completed a Ship’s Restricted Availability (SRA) and is now preparing for training evolutions with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

October 18, USS Essex ARG are currently conducting Blue-Green workups and Amphibious Ready Group Exercises in East China Sea. Blue-Green workups and ARGEX are a biannual combined training exercise designed to re-familiarize and integrate ARG Sailors and MEU Marines in support of theater contingencies, from humanitarian and disaster relief to full combat operations.

October 22, LHD 2 ARG and embarked 31st MEU are off the coast of Luzon, Republic of the Philippines, to participate in Amphibious Landing Exercise 2006. PHIBLEX is an annual bilateral Republic of the Philippines and United States exercise designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue professional relationships between the United States and Philippine Armed Forces. Amphibious Squadron 11 and Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group, are currently on their Fall deployment conducting bilateral exercises, Talon Vision and PHIBLEX '06.

November 2, Sailors and Marines together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) held a closing ceremony after successfully completing Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) '06 October 29 at Marine Base Ternate.

November 7, Sailors of the Sasebo-based Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group and Marines from the 31st MEU arrived at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, after successfully completing exercise Talon Vision (TV) and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) '06 in the Republic of the Philippines.

November 13, The three-ship ARG arrived in Hong Kong for a four-day port visit.

November 21, LHD 2 ARG returned to Sasebo, Japan, after completing a successful seven-week fall deployment.

January 21, 2006 The Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group departed Okinawa, Japan, for Blue-Green Workups and ARG Exercise (ARGEX) after embarking Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.Participating ships include USS Essex, USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

January 24, USS Essex arrived in Guam to complete the transport of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for Training in an Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX), to be held in various locations on the island.

February 5, The amphibious assault ship is currently in the Philippine Sea, preparing for Exercise Balikatan 2006, scheduled Feb. 20 to March 5. The exercise is an annual Republic of the Philippines and U.S. bilateral combined exercise.

February 9, LHD 2 Amphibious Ready Group once again pulled to Apra Harbor, Guam, to load elements of the 31st MEU.

February 17, USS Essex and USS Harpers Ferry departed Subic Bay, Philippines, shortly after arriving. Both ships were ordered back to sea, and are en route to the Philippine Island of Leyte, to provide much needed humanitarian assistance for the victims of a devastating landslide.

February 21, LHD 2 and LSD 49 are currently in the Cabalian Bay, Republic of the Philippines, providing humanitarian assistance to victims in the Saint Bernard Municipality, where the town of Guinsahugon located in the southern part of the island was completely devastated.

March 1, Sailors and Marines of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group and 31st MEU, Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) completed Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations February 28, for the victims of a wide-sweeping mudslide that occurred there Feb 17.

March 8, LHD 2 and LSD 49 are currently off the coast of Iwo Jima to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the famous Pacific War battle in Feb. 1945.

March 14, The amphibious assault ship returned to Sasebo, Japan, completing bilateral training in the Republic of Philippines and Guam, while also delivering relief to mudslide victims in the Philippines' southern Leyte Island.

March 22, USS Essex, commanded by Capt. Martin J. Keaney, is currently at the White Beach, Okinawa, unloading elements of the 31st MEU as part of the Spring Patrol.

March 24, Ships and units of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 and embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Republic of Korea to conduct Reception, Staging, Onward-Movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle (FE) 2006. RSOI/FE is one of two annual command post exercises (CPX) held by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and conducted with the ROK armed forces.

April 2, Ships assigned to USS Essex ARG arrived in Pohang, Republic of Korea, to offload the ROK Marines and to backload personnel and equipment assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) after the completion of Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSIO) and Foal Eagle 2006.

April 7, The Essex is currently off the coast of Okinawa offloading personnel and equipment of the 31st MEU in White Beach Naval Facility.

April 11, USS Essex returned to Sasebo, Japan, after completing exercise Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle (FE) 2006 March 25-31 in the Republic of Korea.

May 15, LHD 2, along with LPD 10 and LSD 49, started with offloading the equipment and marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit onto the beach in Hat Yao, Thailand, as part of the 25th anniversary of the annual U.S./Thai exercise Cobra Gold 2006, May 15-26. Cobra Gold is a combined annual joint training exercise aimed at developing interoperability, strengthening relationships between services and developing cross-cultural understanding among participating nations.

May 26, Ships of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (FD-ARG) and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted amphibious operations training with Royal Thai Armed Forces with a series of raids May 19-21. The group, consisting of USS Essex, USS Juneau and USS Harpers Ferry, provided the sea-based platform for a combined simulated mechanized raid and a boat raid on Hat Yao Beach and launched helicopters, of both forces, to conduct a helicopter raid at Chandi Range.

June 4, Forty-three Sailors from LHD 2 took some time out to volunteer and visit the Phirat Witthika 14 School during a port visit May 26 to Pattaya Beach, Thailand. At the community relations project (COMREL), hosted by the Rotary Club of Taksin - Pattaya, Essex Sailors delivered to the school boxes of donated clothing from the ship’s Sailors, Marines and their families.

June 13, USS Essex returned to Sasebo, Japan, after a five-month training cycle known as Spring Patrol.

August 2, Capt. Anthony J. Pachuta relieved Capt. Mark E. Donahue as commander, PHIBRON 11 and also as the task group commander of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (FD-ARG) during the change of command ceremony held aboard the USS Essex.

September 8, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, for a routine port visit. The crew of Essex will undergo a various firefighting and other training to maintain combat readiness.

September 28, The Forward Deployed Expeditionary Strike Group (FD-ESG) successfully completed on load of personnel, equipment, and supplies of the 31st MEU, in White Beach Naval Facility, and will now conduct a series of workups in the vicinity of Okinawa before launching its fall patrol.

October 16, LHD 2 is currently at Subic Bay, Philippines, preparing for exercises with the Republic of the Philippines. The Essex successfully finished Blue-Green workups and departed White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for its fall patrol Oct. 12. The three-ship ARG teamed up with more than 2,000 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct the certification and preliminary workups from Sept. 30 - Oct. 8. The certification was held over a three-day period Oct. 9-11.

October 19, USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group began Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) '07 with an official joint ceremony held at the Ft. Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City, Oct. 16. The two annual exercises, which will run concurrently Oct. 16-31, will partner 5,700 U.S. and 1,300 Philippine military personnel for two weeks of training on the island regions of Luzon and Palawan.

November 4, The amphibious assault ship departed Subic Bay, Philippines, after completing a four-day port visit.

December 1, USS Essex returned to Sasebo, Japan, after completing a two-month annual fall patrol. She offloaded nearly 1,500 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and 664 tons of equipment, on Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 29-30.

February 3, 2007 USS Essex ARG is currently off the coast of Okinawa conducting a two week Blue-Green workups in preparation for their spring patrol.

March 5, Essex Amphibious Ready Group and embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to conduct Reception Staging Onward-Movement and Integration and Foal Eagle 2007 (RSOI/FE 07), an exercise which will run through the end of March.

March 19, The amphibious assault ship successfully completed a Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) during an at-sea period March 11–15 off the coast of Sasebo, Japan.

April 4, USS Essex pulled to Busan, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit following the conclusion of Foal Eagle 2007.

April 16, LHD 2 returned to Sasebo after a successful Spring Patrol 2007.

May 22, USS Essex ARG ships are currently onloading Marines at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for participation in Talisman Sabre 2007. Talisman Saber, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defense Force Joint Operations Command, is designed to train the U.S. 7th Fleet commander's staff and the Australian Deployable Joint Force Headquarters staff as designated combined task force headquarters. The exercise will focus on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations.

June 6, LHD 2 pulled to Brisbane, Australia, for a four-day port visit in preparation for the upcoming bilateral exercise Talisman Saber 2007.

July 4, USS Essex arrived in Townsville for a liberty port visit after the successful completion of Talisman Saber '07.

July 24, USS Essex ARG returned to Sasebo, Japan, after a two-month sumer deployment.

October 19, The amphibious assault ship completed its Selected Restricted Availability period on Oct. 10. Some of the major work included several hardware and software upgrades to Essex’ combat systems, a complete resurfacing of the flight deck, replacement of the wood planking in the well deck, repairs to the air conditioning units, crew berthing refurbishing and the installation of the Navy Cash Card system throughout the ship. The Essex Expeditionary Strike Group is currently deployed for an annual fall patrol in the western Pacific.

October 31, USS Essex completed the on-load of 1,400 Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Nearly 600 Marines embarked Essex in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 24. The additional 800 Marines, who participated in Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise from the 31st MEU completed their on-load in Subic Bay, Philippines.

November 6, LHD 2 departed Hong Kong after a three-day port visit.

November 14, USS Essex is currently participating in Korean Interoperability Training Program, to increase U.S./Korean bilateral amphibious operational readiness, off the coast of Pohang, ROK.

December 2, The amphibious ship departed Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after a historic six-day port call. While in port, the ship's approximately 2,500 Sailors and Marines participated in community relations projects, medical and dental assistance projects and professional military exchanges.

December 11, USS Essex returned to Sasebo after completing a successful two-month fall patrol.

January 24, 2008 USS Essex departed homeport for a scheduled two-month deployment.

January 31, The amphibious assault ship departed Okinawa after completing the on load of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

February 4, Capt. Kerry Brent Canady relieved Capt. Brian T. Donegan as CO of USS Essex during a change-of-command ceremony in the ship's hangar bay right before the live broadcast of the Super Bowl XLII.

February 19, LHD 2 arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, to participate in the annual bilatera Exercise Balikatan 2008. During BK-08, the Essex ESG will conduct humanitarian assistance and training activities with service members from the Republic of the Philippines to improve maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

March 6, USS Essex departed Philippines after completing Balikatan '08 and backloading Marines to Subic Bay.

March 14, Commander Task Force (CTF) 76, abord the Essex, successfully completed Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Certification during exercises off the coast of Okinawa.

April 27, USS Essex ARG is currently onloading vehicles and equipment from elements of the 31st MEU at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, in preparation to participate with Thailand in the annual bi-lateral exercise Cobra Gold, as part of the spring patrol.

May 22, LHD 2 is currently standing by in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Burma, supporting Joint Task Force Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

June 5, After at least 15 unsuccessfull attempts to convince the Burmese government to allow U.S. Navy ships, helicopters, and landing craft to provide additional disaster relief for the people of Burma, the Essex ships will now head to the coast of Thailand to backload their remaining helicopters and personnel on June 11.

June 20, The Essex Amphibious Ready Group pulled to Okinawa to offload the elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, after completing the two-phase Spring Patrol.

August 5, Capt. Donald A. Schmieley relieved Capt. Anthony J. Pachuta as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, during a change of command ceremony aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in Sasebo, Japan.

August 9, LHD 2 pulled to Yokosuka Naval Base after a three-day Tiger Cruise from Sasebo.

August 27, USS Essex arrived in Tokyo for a scheduled port visit and humanitarian disaster relief exercises between the partner nations of the United States and Japan.

September 19, USS Essex departed Naval Base Sasebo for a scheduled fall patrol.

October 27, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, after completing this year's Talon Vision (TV) and Amphibious Landing Exercises (PHIBLEX).

November 4, The Essex arrived off the coast of Pohang, Republic of Korea, for a five-day Korean Interoperability Training Program (KITP).

November 19, USS Essex ARG completed its participation in Exercise ANNUALEX 20G, with USS George Washington CSG and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, off the coast of Japan.

November 26, LHD 2 departed Hong Kong after a four-day port visit.

December 4, USS Essex returned to homeport after the completion of a successful fall underway period.

January 26, 2009 The Essex departed Sasebo for an annual Spring Patrol.

February 7, The amphibious assault ship arrived off the coast of Thailand to participate in exercise Cobra Gold 2009.

February 19, LHD 2 pulled to Pattaya, Thailand, for a scheduled port visit after completing the CG '09 Exercise.

March 8, USS Essex Expeditionary Strike Group returned home recently after completing the first half of the spring deployment.

April 8, USS Essex ARG completed onloading more than 1,400 Marines, at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, as part of participation in Exercise Balikatan 2009.

April 15, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, to take part in Balikatan exercise April 16-30.

May 7, LHD 2 returned to Sasebo after the second half of Spring Patrol. The ship will conduct a brief maintenance period while preparing for another upcoming multinational exercise.

June 12, USS Essex departed homeport for the summer underway period and to participate in exercise Talisman Sabre '09.

June 28, The Essex arrived in Cairns, Australia, for a rare visit after turned away from a busy Townsville port.

July 28, The amphibious assault ship pulled to Brisbane, Australia, for a three-day port visit.

August 13, Capt. Troy L. Hart relieved Capt. Brent Canady as CO of USS Essex during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship off the coast of Okinawa.

August 18, USS Essex returned to Naval Base Sasebo after a two-month summer deployment.

August 26, The Essex began a Ship’s Restricted Availability (SRA) maintenance period during which it will receive a new non-skid for the entire flight deck, 126 new screen wall tubes and a brand new SPS-73 radar system. The engineers will also perform a five year inspection on the number two boiler and extensive maintenance on five ballast tanks.

November 1, USS Essex departed homeport for a scheduled fall patrol.

November 12, LHD 2 completed on-loading more than 1,100 Marines, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), in preparation for Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

November 21, The Essex returned to Sasebo after a three-week underway period.

January 20, 2010 USS Essex departed Sasebo, Japan, for the annual Spring Patrol.