What does the arrival of the USS Wasp in the Mediterranean Sea mean for US European and African Commands?
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp transits the Strait of Gibraltar with an AH-1Z Viper and an MH-60S Sea Hawk. (Photo: US Navy)
US European Command recently announced that the USS Wasp amphibious (LHD 1) assault ship entered the Mediterranean Sea. The arrival of the platform coincided with the growth in tensions between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
The vessel and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have been deployed to the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area to better support its operations by enabling ship-to-shore movement by helicopter and movement by landing craft.
“The purpose of the Wasp moving is really to promote regional stability and to be another deterrent in the region,” claimed Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary for the Pentagon. “It allows
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage
As AI dominates defence conversations, industry increasingly points to quantum sensing as the technology set to change submarine and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations.
-
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial initiative designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.