Navy
GalleryUSS Essex highlights 10th LA Fleet Week
Stars and Stripes
May 23, 2026
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex arrives into the Port of Los Angeles for Los Angeles Fleet Week in San Pedro, Calif., on May 19, 2026. (Lisa Ferdinando/U.S. Coast Guard)
LA Fleet Week, now in its 10th year, began Friday, offering crowds a close-up look at the capabilities and equipment of the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.
On display in San Pedro, Calif., are guns, tanks, helicopters and three ships, open for touring.
Nearly 1,500 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate in various community service events.
The ships are:
USS Essex, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego. The 844-foot warship can accommodate the landing craft utility and landing craft air cushion; can operate all helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft flown by the Marine Corps; and can operate and support AV-8B and F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, a Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat based in Marina del Rey, Calif.
U.S Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter Terrell Horne based in Port of Los Angeles.
U.S. Navy sailors attend a welcome party hosted by the City of San Pedro to celebrate the beginning of LA Fleet Week, May 21, 2026. (R. Eugene Haggard/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Marines from 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and sailors with Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex pose for a photo with members of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 20, 2026. (Juan Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)
Sailors aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex man the rails during the transit into Los Angeles for Fleet Week, May 19, 2026. (Ivan A. Garcia/U.S. Navy)
UFC fighter Marlon “Chito” Vera takes a photo with U.S. Navy Ensign Manassey Martin, left, and Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Davon James aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 21, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr.) (Russell R. Rhodes Jr./U.S. Navy)
U.S. Marines assigned to Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band perform at a community dinner hosted by Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 22, 2026. (Jerome D. Johnson/U.S. Navy)
Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex arrives for Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 19, 2026. (R. Eugene Haggard/U.S. Navy)
Sailors attend a welcome party hosted by the City of San Pedro to celebrate the beginning of LA Fleet Week, May 21, 2026. (R. Eugene Haggard/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Marines from 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and sailors with the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex help themselves to a buffet after a tour around the Dignity Health Sports Bar during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 20, 2026. (Juan Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)
Sailors assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex interact with the public during the Rick Crocker 5K Challenge at the Santa Monica Pier during Los Angeles Fleet Week in Santa Monica, Calif., May 21, 2026. (Monserrath Mora/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. service members walk through Disneyland during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 21, 2026. (Gavin Arnoldhendershot/U.S. Navy)
Sailors and Marines take a group photo at Castle Forecourt while visiting Disneyland during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 21, 2026. (Gavin Arnoldhendershot/U.S. Navy)