ABOARD
THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP WASP — The Islamic State group is about to
feel the sting of this 27-year-old gator as it heads out on its first
major deployment in more than a decade.
The amphibious assault Wasp is back in the fight. For the first time in 11 years, the Wasp will deploy to the Middle East with the dock landing ship Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock San Antonio. The three ships in the amphibious ready group have a combined age of 68 years.
The ARG will carry more than 2,000 members of the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina-based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (reinforced).
The sailors and Marines will take up the fight against ISIS during their six-month deployment.
“To think that we are going to go over to that part of the world and not be engaged in some of these fights against ISIS, don't be naïve,” said Capt. Andy Smith, the ship’s commanding officer. “We're going to launch aircraft off with weapons and they're going to come back having dropped them on somebody. If we have to send Marines ashore, they will be in the thick of it.
The amphibious assault Wasp is back in the fight. For the first time in 11 years, the Wasp will deploy to the Middle East with the dock landing ship Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock San Antonio. The three ships in the amphibious ready group have a combined age of 68 years.
The ARG will carry more than 2,000 members of the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina-based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (reinforced).
The sailors and Marines will take up the fight against ISIS during their six-month deployment.
“To think that we are going to go over to that part of the world and not be engaged in some of these fights against ISIS, don't be naïve,” said Capt. Andy Smith, the ship’s commanding officer. “We're going to launch aircraft off with weapons and they're going to come back having dropped them on somebody. If we have to send Marines ashore, they will be in the thick of it.
