DEFENCE MEDIA ALERT
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 6265 6946
MSPA 220/09
Saturday, 18 July 2009
TALISMAN SABER 09: USS ESSEX MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WHAT:
United States Navy Landing Helicopter Dock USS Essex (LHD 2) will
be able to host a limited number of media out to the ship, currently
underway off the coast of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Media will be provided a brief on the capabilities of the ship and a tour
of Essex including the flight deck, medical bay, hangar bay and well
deck.
WHEN:
Wednesday, 22 July 2009, from 9:00am until 6:00pm.
WHERE:
Rockhampton Airport, for departure to and return from Essex via
helicopter.
CONTACT:
Interested media members should send their name, organisation and
media format via e-mail to:
binford.strickland@usmc.mil from TS09 Public Affairs, AND
applehansd@lhd2.navy.mil from CTF 76 Public Affairs.
DEADLINE: Monday, 20 July 2009, 6:00pm. Places are strictly limited and late
expressions of interest cannot be considered.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
USS Essex is in Australian waters to participate in the bilateral, joint exercise
Talisman Saber 2009.
She is the only permanently forward-deployed U.S. amphibious assault ship and
serves as the flag ship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) throughout the
7th Fleet’s area of responsibility.
LHD Fact Sheet:
Media contact:
Combined Joint Information Bureau: 1800 639 724
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
