USS Essex conducts flight ops in Pacific Ocean

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Joaquin Duron and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Evelyn Jiminez, both assigned to America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), signal an incoming MH-60S Seahawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Aug. 6, 2026. Essex is currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the region and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenyatta Headley)