Deck department Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) perform a stern-gate marriage with Landing Craft Utility 1631 to load mission essential supplies for their spring patrol. 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. (U.S. Navy Photo by Spc. Joshua J. Wahl)

SASEBO, Japan -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) departed Sasebo, Japan, for spring patrol on Thursday. Capt. Brent Canady, a 1980 graduate of Central High School, will take command of the Essex on Feb. 4.

The Essex, with a crew of more than 1,100 sailors, will be joined by the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry and amphibious transport dock USS Juneau.

Essex will embark over 1,300 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), including the 31st MEU Air Combat Element and Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 4th Marines.

Essex Expeditionary Strike Group is deployed to the Seventh Fleet Area of Operations and will perform various joint and combined exercises during the spring patrol.

Essex departs Sasebo for spring patrol after a successful winter availability period where the ship received various upgrades and improvements. Essex replaced the SPS-49 RADAR antennae and pedestal and the SPS-48 RADAR antennae. The ship's ballasting system received work as well as the distilling units and the steam system.

During the winter availability, Essex Sailors completed more than 5,700 man-hours towards material readiness and ship up-keep. Over 2.4 million dollars in depot level maintenance was completed to prepare Essex for spring patrol.

Sailors were able to complete professional team training in combat warfare areas and training for new computer systems installed during the previous availability. Essex security department completed training for sentries and reaction force members, improving Essex' security team knowledge and proficiency.

Also during the holiday period, Essex Sailors were invited to their sister ship, JS Kurama, to participate in a mochi-pounding ceremony, helping enhance host nation relations and strengthen bonds between partnership navy Sailors. Kurama also presented Essex with Japanese traditional Kadomatsu to display on the quarterdeck during the holiday season.

In addition, Essex hosted 100 Kurama sailors, 40 Japanese Ground Self Defense Force members, 10 Ship Repair Facility employees and 60 Department of Defense high school and elementary school students, for tours of the ship.

After over a month in port some Essex Sailors were ready to get back to sea.

"I'm excited to get underway," said Essex sailor, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Francine Garcia. "I'm a boatswain's mate; getting underway is what we do."

Essex normally does two patrols each year in the Seventh Fleet Area of Operations , working closely with strategic partner countries to strengthen ties and maintain proficiency performing combined operations with regional partner navies.

Essex is the only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.