USS Essex conducts vertical replenishment during Cobra Gold
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TOKYO — Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex cleared cargo from the flight deck and guided an SA-330J Puma helicopter in delivering pallets of supplies during a vertical replenishment at sea Tuesday with USNS Richard E. Byrd.
The Sasebo, Japan-based Essex is currently participating in the 30th annual Cobra Gold exercise, which began Feb. 7 and wraps up Friday. One of the world’s largest multinational military exercises, Cobra Gold includes an estimated 11,220 people, including 7,200 U.S. servicemembers. Troops from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are also participating.
Deployed with the Essex are the Sasebo-based USS Germantown and USS Denver.
Among the Marine units participating in Cobra Gold are: Okinawa’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment acting as its ground combat element; Marine Wing Support Squadron 172; Marine Aircraft Group 36; and Combat Logistics Regiments 35 and Combat Logistics Regiment 3.
From staff reports
