STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR – The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) entered the Mediterranean Sea, June 26, 2024.
Wasp, on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations, will support U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression. The presence of an integrated Navy-Marine Corps team provides flexibility and enhanced capability to NAVEUR-NAVAF and U.S. 6th Fleet.
USS WASP and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will be joined by USS OAK HILL (LSD-51), which is currently in the Mediterranean Sea, and USS NEW YORK (LPD-21), which is currently operating in the Atlantic Ocean. Together, this constitutes the USS WASP ARG/MEU that deployed from the East Coast on June 1.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. 6th Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.