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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Wasp (LHD-1)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Echo - Bravo - Papa NEBP

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3) - National Defense Service Medal
Bottom Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3-Somalia) - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Armed Forces Service Medal

Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose):

Laid down, 30 May 1985, at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula, MS.

Launched, 4 August 1987

Commissioned USS Wasp (LHD-1), 29 July 1989

USS Wasp is a unit of Amphibious Group 2, US Atlantic Fleet, and is homeported at Norfolk, VA.

Specifications:
Displacement 40,650 tons (fl.)
Length 844'
Beam 105'
Speed 20 kts.+
Complement 104 Officer, 1004 Enlisted
Marine Force 1894 (plus 184 surge)
Armament

two RAM launchers

two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers

three 20mm Phalanx (CIWS) mounts

four .50cal. machine guns
Aircraft

twelve CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters

four CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters

six AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft

three UH-1N Huey helicopters

four AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters

planned capability to embark MV-22 Osprey VTOL tilt-rotors
Power Plant

two 600 psi boilers

two geared steam turbines

two shafts

70,000 total shaft horsepower

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
171k	*PCU Wasp* (LHD-1)** preparation for keel laying in May 1985 at Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula, MS., Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp.	Gerd Matthes
128k	*PCU Wasp* (LHD-1)** on the Ingalls transporter at Pascagoula prior to launch, 30 July 1987. Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. photo from "U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman.	Robert Hurst
78k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** drydocked, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp, Pascagoula, MS. after launching, circa August 1987. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1989, Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
72k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1989, Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
61k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway during sea trails in the Gulf of Mexico, May 1989. Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. photo.	Robert M. Cieri
159k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo
45k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo
46k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
192k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1990	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
79k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** at sea, circa 1997, while launching an air cushion landing craft (LCAC). US Navy photo # 970000-N-00000-001 from the Navy Newsstand.	Bill Gonyo
144k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** operating in the Mediterranean Sea, 5 May 1998. US Navy photo # 1-98-527-N-0000W-001 from the Navy Newsstand.	Bernard A. Cardali
79k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** making her way up river beneath the Verranzo Narrows Bridge, 26 May 1999. The ship was participating in New York City's Fleet Week '99'. U.S. Navy photo # 990526-N-7230N-001	Navy NewsStand
2136k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** departing Genoa, Italy, 9 June 2000.	Photos by Carlo Martinelli
1534k
1393k
77k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 3 August 2000. Crew members proudly proclaim the number of the crew who have qualified for ESWS/EAWS. "EAWS" stands for Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist and "ESWS" stands for Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. These are enlisted warfare designations attained after extensive training sessions and an examination. U.S. Navy photo # 000803-N-0803P-001 by PH1 Andrew P. Pruitt.	Bill Gonyo
116k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** underway, location unknown, 2001. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
372k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) launches a single RIM-7M "Sea Sparrow" from her forward missile mount, 17 January 2002. The RIM-7M is used aboard ships for surface-to-air anti-missile defense. Wasp** is conducting a Joint Task Force/Special Operations Capabilities (SOCEX) Exercise while preparing for her scheduled six-month deployment. US Navy photo # 020117-N-2210L-001 At sea aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) Jan. 17, 2002 by PHAN Aaron W. Lockhart.	Robert M. Cieri
72k	Flying over *USS Wasp* (LHD-l)** in the Arabian Sea, June 2002, two CH-53E Sea Stallions prepare to refuel from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron Two Five Two (VMGR-252)'s KC-135 Hercules. The Sea Stallions from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Two Six One (HMM-261) are assigned to the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from North Carolina. US Air Force photo by Cheresa D. Clark	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
111k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) receives nearly 65 thousand gallons of fuel during an underway replenishment (UNREP) with USNS Supply (T-AOE-6)*, 17 July 2002. The two ships are sailing at a distance of about 150 feet apart, a feat requiring excellent seamanship. The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group* (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The MEU is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. It demonstrates the power of the Navy-Marine Corps Team. US Navy photo # 020717-N-6380E-001 by PHAN Teresa Ellison.	Bill Gonyo
61k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** entering Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, 4 March 2004 while on her way to the Gulf.	George Farrugia
85k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** moored at Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, 6 March 2004 while on her way to the Gulf.	Gerd Matthes
83k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** pulls into Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), 18 September 2004. The Wasp-led Expeditionary Strike Group Two (ESG-2) was the first East Coast ESG to deploy. US Navy photo # 040918-N-4953E-021 by PH2 Danny Ewing Jr.	Navy Newsstand
87k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) pulls into Naval Station Norfolk, 18 September 2004, as line handlers assigned to USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), stand at parade rest ready to secure the ship to the pier. Wasp** returned to Norfolk following a seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). US Navy photo # 040918-N-6371Q-036 by PHAN Orlando Quintero.	Navy Newsstand
424k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) is astern of the guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG-57)** as she maneuvers into position off the coast of Panama during PANAMAX 2007. Civil and military forces from 19 countries are participating in PANAMAX 2007, a U.S. Southern Command joint and multi-national training exercise co-sponsored with the government of Panama, in the waters off the coasts of Panama and Honduras US Navy photo # 070831-N-1810F-849 CARIBBEAN SEA (Aug. 31, 2007) by MC2 Todd Frantom.	Robert M. Cieri
393k	An up-close view of the starboard side of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group 29, preparing for lift off from the flight deck of *USS Wasp* (LHD-1). Wasp** is on surge deployment to the Middle East carrying the Osprey to its first combat deployment. US Navy photo # 071004-N-1189B-002 GULF OF AQABA (Oct. 4, 2007) by MC2 Zachary L. Borden.	Robert M. Cieri
408k	U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group 29, preparing for lift off from the flight deck of *USS Wasp* (LHD-1). Wasp** is on surge deployment to the Middle East carrying the Osprey to its first combat deployment. US Navy photo # 071004-N-1189B-048 GULF OF AQABA (Oct. 4, 2007) by MC2 Zachary L. Borden.	Robert M. Cieri
495k	U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group 29, preparing for lift off from the flight deck of *USS Wasp* (LHD-1). Wasp** is on surge deployment to the Middle East carrying the Osprey to its first combat deployment. US Navy photo # 071004-N-1189B-022 GULF OF AQABA (Oct. 4, 2007) by MC2 Zachary L. Borden.	Robert M. Cieri
999k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) at anchor during well deck operations off the coast of North Carolina. Wasp** crew of approximately 1,100 Sailors and 365 embarked Marines are preparing for a three-month Southern Partnership Station deployment. US Navy photo # 091005-N-0890S-057 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 5, 2009) by MC3 David Smart.	Lee Wahler
1263k	An MV-22 Osprey aircraft assigned to Operational Test Squadron (VMX-21) lifts off the flight deck of *USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** during testing and evaluating of the Osprey for its upgraded flight control software and its ability to conduct short take-offs and roll-on landings US Navy photo # 100804-N-JK632-141 ATLANTIC OCEAN (August 4, 2010) by MC1 Rebekah Adler.	Robert M. Cieri
672k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1)** departs Naval Station Norfolk ahead of Hurricane Irene. Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet, ordered all ships in the Hampton Roads area to set Sortie Condition Alpha. Ships in the area are departing early Thursday morning, Aug. 25. Irene's current track indicates it will pass off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts late Saturday as a Category 3 hurricane. US Navy photo # 110825-N-PS473-131 NORFOLK (Aug. 25, 2011) by MC2 Eric S. Garst.	Lee Wahler
220k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) and amphibious transport dock ships USS New York (LPD-21) and USS San Antonio (LPD-17)** transit in formation during a training exercise. The ships are returning to Norfolk after standing by to provide assistance to areas affected by Hurricane Irene. US Navy photo # 110831-N-PM781-006 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 31, 2011) by MC1 Arif Patani.	Lee Wahler
451k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) arrives at Naval Station Mayport, FL. for a port visit. Wasp** departed her homeport of Norfolk to conduct routine operations in the waters of the Southern Caribbean and use the degaussing range at Mayport. US Navy photo # 120313-N-TC587-014 MAYPORT, Fla. (March 13, 2012) by MC2 Jacob Sippel.	Lee Wahler
1216k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1), left, the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) and the Royal Canadian navy frigate HMCS St. John's (FFH-340) perform a replenishment at sea while transiting the Gulf of Mexico. Wasp** is underway to participate in the upcoming Fleet Week events in New Orleans, La., and Port Everglades, Fla. US Navy photo # 120416-N-AW702-021 GULF OF MEXICO (April 16, 2012) by MC2 Jacob Sippel.	Lee Wahler
1416k	*USS Wasp* (LHD-1) prepares to moor at Port Everglades. Wasp*, along with four other U.S. Navy ships and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter are scheduled to participate in the Fleet Week Port Everglades 2012. . US Navy photo # 120425-N-UA460-025 PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (April 25, 2012)* by MC2 Greg Johnson.	Lee Wahler

USS Wasp (LHD-1) Memorabilia
1989 Commissioning Program Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1989 Ingalls Public Relations Handout Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1991 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1993 Persian Gulf Cruise Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	2001 Welcome Aboard Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

There is no DANFS history available for USS Wasp (LHD-1) at NavSource

For more photos and information about USS Wasp, see;
USS Wasp (LHD-1)
Navy Fact File - Amphibious Assault Ships LHA/LHD/LHA(R)
Commanding Officers

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 4 May 2012