17 July 2009
USS Essex air and sea operations
USS Essex was the capital ship supporting a simulated amphibious landing during exercise Talisman Saber 09. USS Essex is a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) capable of launching helicopters and vertical takeoff fixed wing aircraft, in addition to air-cushioned landing craft known as LCACs which can deliver heavier loads such as trucks and other vehicles. USS Essex was one of the many significant military assets deployed on TS09 to enhance the integrated capability of the Australian and United States militaries.
Power on: An AV-8 attack jet from the United States Marine Corps takes off from the flight deck of the USS Essex on a sortie during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Sea power: US Marine Corps AV-8 jets await their next tasking as a US Navy air-cushioned landing craft returns to the USS Essex.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Ferrying firepower: US Navy air-cushioned landing craft ferry US Marine Corps troops and vehicles from USS Essex to a simulated beach landing during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Stop right there: A US Marine Corps AV-8 is marshalled on the flight deck of the USS Essex during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Seaspray rainbow: A US Marine Corps AV-8 creates a rainbow as it descends to the flight deck of the USS Essex, after returning from a mission during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Heavy landing: The gravity-defying bulk of a US Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion dwarfs two Navy personnel as it lands on the USS Essex during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Looking after the backyard. Australian Navy Officer Sub Leutenant Scott Cullinan observes the flight deck of the USS Essex, as part of his role monitoring the environment during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Blades of Glory: The powerful rotor of a US Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion dominates the flight deck of the USS Essex, off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Officer on deck: Australian Brigadier Bob Brown takes a first hand look at air operations departing from the flight deck of the USS Essex off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Racing to catch a flight: A US Marine Corps flight crew member races to catch his helicopter before it lifts off from the flight deck of USS Essex, off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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A United States Navy tow tractor driver returns from arranging US Marine AV-8 Harriers on the flight deck of the USS Essex, off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Man on a mission: A young aircraft director aboard the USS Essex paces towards his next flight deck challenge, off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Floating garage: A US Navy air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) returns to the well deck of USS Essex during a simulated amphibious assault off the coast of Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 15 July 2009)
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Frantic ferries: US Navy air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) manouevre for their next load of troops and vehicles from the well deck of the USS Essex, off the coast of Queensland during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
