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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
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 78k USS Wasp (LHD-1) drydocked, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp, Pascagoula, MS. prior to launching, circa July 1987.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1989, Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp.
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 61k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway during sea trails in the Gulf of Mexico, May 1989.
    Courtesy Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. photo.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Wasp 159k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    .
    Wasp 45k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    .
    Wasp 46k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Wasp 192k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1990
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 116k USS Wasp (LHD-1) underway, location unknown, 2001.
    US Navy photo.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 61k USS Wasp (LHD-1) entering Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, 4 March 2004 while on her way to the Gulf. George Farrugia
    Wasp 85k USS Wasp (LHD-1) moored at Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, 6 March 2004 while on her way to the Gulf. Gerd Matthes
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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
    Wasp 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

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

    There is no DANFS history available for USS Wasp (LHD-1) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Wasp (LHD-1)
    Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 8 May 2009