USS Essex (LHD 2) hosted a lunch for over 100 personnel assigned to the Japan Regional Maintenance Center (JRMC) detachment Sasebo, Jan. 18. The lunch was held to thank the team for their services to Essex during more than 11 forward-deployed years to Sasebo, Japan.
Essex Commanding Officer Capt. David Fluker , greeted the JRMC detachment Sasebo personnel as they came aboard, and thanked them for all their hard work over the years.
“This was a great time to say thank you to the people that have provided support to Essex for more than a decade,” said Fluker. “The JRMC detachment Sasebo team has provided outstanding sustained support throughout Essex’s time here and their craftsmanship is superb. With Essex departing Sasebo in a few short months, this is an opportunity to say thanks for a job well done.”
The group was treated to lunch in the wardroom, chiefs’ mess and the main mess. Six-year JRMC detachment Sasebo employee, Masonori Isafush , said he enjoyed his lunch and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food.
The JRMC detachment Sasebo worked diligently for years to ensure Essex is always prepared for every mission, whether it be humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, combat missions, or patrols.
“The work JRMC detachment Sasebo does is always top notch,” said Lt. Rocky Chang , Essex’s maintenance officer. “They do a variety of great work like emergent repairs, propulsion systems, hull work and laundry system refurbishments. They played a critical role in helping us prepare for our engineering plant boiler inspections, too.”
Essex is making preparations for a hull swap this summer. After nearly 12 years in Sasebo, Essex will be relieved by USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship.
Essex is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Rear Adm. J. Scott Jones , who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 20, 2012; Image: navy