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
-
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
-
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
-
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.