If you have not seen a US Navy aircraft carrier anywhere other than on a movie screen, then heading over to the Doha Port could easily change that.

This is because US Navy aircraft carrier Essex (LHD-2) has called on Doha Port in a predefined visit, according to the Directorate of Defence Communication at the Ministry of Defence, reported Gulf Times.

Welcome USS Essex to Doha Port! The largest U.S. Navy vessel to ever visit Qatarhttps://t.co/w5hsyoF3mU#USQatarPartnership pic.twitter.com/DyIMd51xvv

— Chargé William Grant (@USAmbQatar) October 14, 2018

The amphibious assault ship is the largest American Naval vessel to have ever visited Qatar. It arrived in Qatar as part of a joint military co-operation between Qatar and the US to combat terrorism and extremism.

Port calls, like that made by the USS Essex, reaffirms America’s commitment to regional security and protecting the free flow of commercial activity in the region and surrounding waterways.

“The visit of the USS Essex, an incredible display of naval technology, here in Qatar is another example of the importance of the US and Qatar’s strategic partnership. Without a doubt, the USS Essex’s visit — the largest US Navy ship to port in Doha — demonstrates the expansion of the military cooperation between our two countries,” US Embassy in Qatar’s Charge d’Affaires William Grant was quoted as saying by The Peninsula.

The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) arrived in #Doha Port for a scheduled port visit to #Qatar today. The USS Essex is the largest ever #US Navy vessel to visit Qatar. https://t.co/G63RuV23n6

— Mohamad Ali Harissi (@aleeharissi) October 14, 2018

The USS Essex carries members of the US Navy’s 13th reconnaissance squadron. They make up for nearly 1,600 of the ship’s 3,000 occupants.

The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 are the first US Naval Force and Marines equipped with the F-35B Lightning II, the most advanced fighter to arrive in the region.

A number of Qatar Armed Forces officers, as well as staff members of the US Embassy in Qatar, welcomed the USS Essex to Qatar.

The USS Essex is among the largest class of ships — Wasp Class — operated by the US Navy. It is a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) style amphibious assault ship. The USS Essex was built at Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on October 17 1992. 

The ship, at 844ft long and 44,000-tons full load, has a primary mission to conduct prompt and sustained operations at sea.

Designed to be versatile, the USS Essex can simultaneously employ helicopters, vertical/short takeoff and landing jet aircraft, and landing craft air cushioned, as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.