NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Wasp is coming home on Friday after a 7-month deployment!
The vessel -- with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina aboard---departed Naval Station, Rota, Spain on November 21, after a brief stop for replenishment of supplies and fuel before making the 3,300 nautical mile journey back home.
The Wasp lived up to its motto of "Honor, Tradition, Excellence," conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and the Mediterranean since early April. Their mission: supporting ally and partner interests in promoting regional stability and deterring aggression in the region.
According to a news release on navy.mil, the Wasp is scheduled to return to Naval Station Norfolk on December 6.
The USS Wasp is returning to Hampton Roads along with warships USS New York and USS Oak Hill. Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit have already returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Back in September, the Wasp wound up in the news, when two U.S. Marines assigned to the ship were assaulted by a group of around 15 anti-American protesters in Turkey.
In the video, the Marines -- wearing civilian clothes -- were swarmed by the group of young nationalists called "Turkish Youth Union," with one attacker placing a bag over the head of one of the Americans.
Other Marines intervened, and no one was injured.
The Pentagon's Press Secretary praised how the Marines handled themselves.
"In terms of the reaction of the Marines, certainly proud of our service members, and most importantly, that they are safe. This is clearly a troubling incident. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish authorities who looking into this," said Lieutenant General Pat Ryder.
Upon its return, the Department of Defense says that early next year, the 35-year-old Wasp is scheduled to undergo a year-long, $87.6 million to $104 million maintenance and modernization period BAE Systems-Norfolk Ship Repair.
