diff --git a/game/theater/controlpoint.py b/game/theater/controlpoint.py
index d4f089a1..ff371923 100644
--- a/game/theater/controlpoint.py
+++ b/game/theater/controlpoint.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ from dcs.ships import (
     Stennis,
     Type_071,
     hms_invincible,
+    Essex,
 )
 from dcs.terrain.terrain import Airport, ParkingSlot
 from dcs.unitgroup import ShipGroup, StaticGroup
@@ -1428,6 +1429,7 @@ class NavalControlPoint(
                     CVN_72,
                     CVN_73,
                     CVN_75,
+                    Essex,
                 ]:
                     return True
         return False
diff --git a/game/theater/start_generator.py b/game/theater/start_generator.py
index 2894e0cb..73182062 100644
--- a/game/theater/start_generator.py
+++ b/game/theater/start_generator.py
@@ -297,7 +297,9 @@ class GenericCarrierGroundObjectGenerator(ControlPointGroundObjectGenerator):
             if go.category in ["CARRIER", "LHA"]
         ][0]
         groups = [
-            g for g in carrier_go.groups if "Carrier" in g.name or "LHA" in g.name
+            g
+            for g in carrier_go.groups
+            if "carrier" in g.name.lower() or "lha" in g.name.lower()
         ]
         return groups[0].units[0]
 
diff --git a/resources/factions/allies_1944.json b/resources/factions/allies_1944.json
index 140d57a7..700c20e8 100644
--- a/resources/factions/allies_1944.json
+++ b/resources/factions/allies_1944.json
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@
   ],
   "preset_groups": [
     "Ally Flak",
-    "WW2LST"
+    "WW2LST",
+    "WW2Essex"
   ],
   "naval_units": [
     "USS Bennington (CV-20)"
@@ -58,7 +59,9 @@
     "WW2 Asset Pack": "https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/other/wwii_assets_pack/"
   },
   "carrier_names": [],
-  "helicopter_carrier_names": [],
+  "helicopter_carrier_names": [
+    "USS Essex (CV-9)"
+  ],
   "has_jtac": false,
   "doctrine": "ww2",
   "building_set": "ww2ally",
diff --git a/resources/groups/WW2Essex.yaml b/resources/groups/WW2Essex.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c0b5a064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/groups/WW2Essex.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+name: WW2Essex
+tasks:
+  - HelicopterCarrier
+units:
+  - USS Bennington (CV-20)
+layouts:
+  - WW2 Essex Carrier
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.miz b/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.miz
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a1dcb96e
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.miz differ
diff --git a/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.yaml b/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3a58d3d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/layouts/naval/WW2-Essex_Carrier.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+name: WW2 Essex Carrier
+tasks:
+  - HelicopterCarrier
+groups:
+  - Carrier: # the word "Carrier" or "LHA" needs to be present in the group-name
+    - name: WW2 Carrier Group 0
+      unit_count:
+        - 1
+      unit_types:
+        - Essex