Essex Arrives in Cambodia

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Brantley

Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia (Nov. 26, 2007) – A Landing Signal Enlisted (LSE) directs a CH-46E assigned to the 31st MEU ACE, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-265) (Reinforced) to depart after Essex arrived in Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov 26. The Sailors and Marines on board are departing to one of the two Medical and Dental Community Action Projects scheduled during the port visit.

Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia – Essex and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov 26, for a scheduled port visit that gives Sailors and Marines the opportunity to participate in friendship-building community relations events, medical and dental projects and professional exchanges. These friendship-building events are being conducted with the cooperation of Cambodian military and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The visit also provides Sailors and Marines the opportunity to meet local citizens and experience the customs and traditions of the Cambodian people. Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. 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.