Description As of late January 1995 USS Essex (LHD 2), commonly referred to as "The Iron Gator," was on its first six-month western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployment and was participating in "Operation Nautical Mantis," a joint military exercise in the Persian Gulf. The 13th MEU (SOC) began its eighth Western Pacific deployment October 25, 1994, only seven months after returning to Camp Pendleton. The MEU sailed to the Persian Gulf and conducted three major exercises: Eager Mace in Kuwait, Nautical Mantis in Saudi Arabia and Iron Magic in the United Arab Emirates. Each of these exercises involved extensive bilateral training with the host nation.
