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USS Wasp pulls into Souda Bay after four months at sea



As we reach the end of our fourth consecutive month out to sea, our team has continued to demonstrate exceptional fortitude, resilience and grit. We have traveled more than 22,000 miles, performed more than 4,500 aircraft launches and recoveries and successfully completed over a dozen replenishments at sea with no mishaps.
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USS Wasp Commanding Officer, Capt. Andrew Smith


uss wasp
Wasp is deployed with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Wilkes/Released)
 

SOUDA BAY, Greece (Oct. 24) – The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) pulled into Souda Bay, Greece, after four months at sea, Oct. 24, 2016.

The ship’s crew, embarked Amphibious Squadron Six staff, and embarked Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) spent 121 total days underway, interrupted only by a brief stop for fuel in Rota, Spain, in July.

Since Aug. 1 the 22nd MEU had been conducting precision air strikes against Deash targets in Sirte, Libya, from Wasp as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning (OOL) to support Libyan Government of National Accord-aligned forces fighting there. After two and one half months of daily operations, the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), has relieved Wasp to continue supporting that mission.

“As we reach the end of our fourth consecutive month out to sea, our team has continued to demonstrate exceptional fortitude, resilience and grit. We have traveled more than 22,000 miles, performed more than 4,500 aircraft launches and recoveries and successfully completed over a dozen replenishments at sea with no mishaps. It has been challenging, but I couldn’t be prouder of every Sailor and Marine onboard this ship.” - USS Wasp Commanding Officer, Capt. Andrew Smith.

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Sailors heave mooring lines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp Oct. 24, 2016. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Molina/Released).
 

“Wasp’s crew has performed exceptionally well over a long period of time and deserves to enjoy some liberty, and while I'm confident we will all enjoy some time on dry land, we will also have to maintain our focus on the current operations of this ARG." - Commander, Amphibious Squadron Six, Capt. F. Byron Ogden.

Source: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Naval Forces Europe

Published October 24, 2016






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