USS Essex Underway

Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) is assisted by tugs as she gets underway. Essex is the only permanently forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Brantley (RELEASED)