By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Irwin D. Sampaga,
Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 Public Affairs
ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
USS Essex (LHD 2) transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Arabian Gulf
Aug. 6.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the busiest shipping lanes in
the world, and freedom of navigation is critical for all vessel movement in and
out of the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, according to Master Chief
Quartermaster Ryan F. Curylo, the ship's leading quartermaster.
Essex's navigation team was in a modified navigation detail
while transiting and maintained a heightened level of navigation readiness
while in close proximity to land and the other shipping traffic also transiting
the Strait.
"I wouldn't say it's a dangerous evolution, but it is
an area where Sailors aboard Essex need to have an escalated posture of
readiness," said Curylo. "It is a complex area with a lot of traffic
and we need to ensure we abide by all conventions and rules of the sea."
While still in San Diego, Essex conducted basic and advanced
phase training to ensure they were ready to conduct this transit.
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and embarked 15th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security
operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area
of operations.
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