The USS Essex it is then.
Haven't spent as much time in Sasebo, but I do remember that it's harder to get around there without a car. Yokosuka has a much better transit system. If you are going to live in Navy housing, it's a fair distance from the base and you will need to commute.
Hopefully, whokilledkanji will be along soon for some horse's mouth advice.
He's on Honshu I think.