TUGBOAT GUIDE The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex is guided by a tugboat onto White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa to offload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit after a successful spring patrol, Okinawa, Japan, June 20, 2008. The 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. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.07 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 233327-Y-OKJ12-930.jpg Photo Gallery