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| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | USS Essex |
| Namesake | Essex County, Massachusetts |
| Ordered | 10 September 1986 |
| Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 20 March 1989 |
| Launched | 23 February 1991 |
| Commissioned | 17 October 1992 |
| Home port | Sasebo, Japan |
| Motto | Take Notice |
| Nickname(s) | "The Iron Gator" |
| Status | in active service, as of 2008[ref] |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Wasp-class amphibious assault ship |
| Displacement | 40,650 tons (full combat load) |
| Length | 844 ft (257 m) |
| Beam | 106 ft (32 m) |
| Draft | 28 ft (8.5 m) (full load) |
| Propulsion | Geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 24+ knots |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 3 LCACs or 2 LCUs |
| Troops | 1,800 |
| Complement | 73 officers, 1109 enlisted |
| Armament | RAM, NATO Sea Sparrow, Mk 15 CIWS, .50-caliber M2HB machine gun |
| Aircraft carried | up to 36, including: UH-1N Huey, AH-1W Cobra, CH-53 Super Stallion, CH-46 Sea Knight, MH-60 Seahawk, AV-8B Harrier |