This afternoon, the USS Wasp (LHD-1) departed the Mediterranean. The ship was the last U.S. naval unit in the region capable of operating fixed-wing aircraft (albeit vertical take-off and landing).
The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which includes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG consists of three ships: USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS New York (LPD-21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), supported by the supply ship USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201).
The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24, which serves as the Logistics Combat Element. At this time, there are no plans to replace the USS Wasp in the Mediterranean.
Additionally, the Navy has independently deployed guided-missile destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean:
- USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
- USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), also homeported at Naval Station Rota.
Leave a comment