The Wasp Amphibious Prepared Group ended a seven-month deployment to the Baltic and Mediterranean seas on Friday, because the flat prime pulled into Naval Station Norfolk.
“This deployment demonstrated the flexibility and power of amphibious forces. Whether or not enhancing NATO interoperability or on station because the crises response drive, the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU crew persistently executed with precision and remained prepared,” Capt. Nakia Cooper, the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4, mentioned in a information launch.
USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS New York (LPD 21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and embarked parts of the particular operations-capable twenty fourth Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from Norfolk in June for Europe. The 4,500 sailors and Marines participated in key naval and maritime drills on the North Atlantic Treaty Group’s northern and southern flanks in workouts reminiscent of Baltic Operations 2024 and Neptune Strike 24.2 within the Western Mediterranean.
Among the many over dozen port visits and coaching actions with allies and companions throughout the area, the Wasp ARG additionally participated within the eightieth anniversary ceremony for the Normandy landings in France.
“We’re a tangible reminder of America’s dedication to our Allies and companions and a strong deterrent to any potential adversary,” mentioned Cooper.
The ARG arrived within the Mediterranean on the finish of June, ending an almost four-month hole in amphib presence within the area after the Bataan ARG accomplished an eight-month tour within the Mediterranean and an emergency deployment to the Pink Sea.
In Might, a collision of two Navy air-cushioned touchdown craft off Florida throughout the Wasp ARG’s pre-deployment coaching injured 30 sailors and Marines.
Whereas Wasp and New York pulled into Norfolk in the present day, Oak Hill is anticipated to dock at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. The vessels come dwelling amid regarding reviews of the Navy’s 32-ship amphibious fleet, with the Authorities Accountability Workplace claiming that 16 of the service’s amphibs are in “poor materials situation.”
