Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group MED 04 Deployment
LHD-1 Wasp
"Honor, Tradition, Excellence"
Nearly 1,300 Sailors on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), along with a Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM 14) Detachment, as well as elements of Assault Craft Units Two, Four and Fleet Surgical Team 2 returned to Norfolk on Saturday, 11 November 2006, following a "surge" deployment in support of Joint Task Force Lebanon. During the deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean, USS Wasp participated in the JTF Lebanon mission of providing support to the American Embassy in Beirut, and support to DoD approved humanitarian assistance efforts as requested by the Department of State.
LHD 1 Wasp conducted a "surge deployment" from her Norfolk, Va., homeport 25 August 2006 to support JTF Lebanon. Even with the short notice, according to Commanding Officer, Capt. Todd Miller, his crew was more than ready "get on station and to complete the mission." Nearly 1,300 Sailors aboard Wasp, including a detachment from Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14, Assault Craft Units (ACU) 2 and 4, and a Fleet Medical Team, deployed to support a Request for Forces (RFF) from U.S. European Command.
When USS Wasp arrived in the joint operation area (JOA) 06 September 2006, she not only officially joined Joint Task Force Lebanon, but also became the command platform for the maritime component commander. Capt. John Nowell, commander of Task Force "Bravo," controled all U.S. maritime assets in the JTF Lebanon JOA from Wasp, including USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Hue City (CG 66) and USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196). Nowell headed to the Wasp because of the command and control capabilities she possesses," said just before departing USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the JTF Lebanon flagship. As tactical commander, both from a command and control perspective, as well as being on the unit that can head to the beach if needed, it's a great multipurpose platform. The arrival of Wasp also allowed the forward-deployed Mount Whitney to return to her Gaeta, Italy, homeport for the second time since being on station in the JOA shortly after the crisis began in mid-July.
Commander, JTF Lebanon Vice Adm. J. "Boomer" Stufflebeem, created Task Force Bravo to provide maritime support to the American embassy in Beirut. Since the Middle East crisis between Israel and Hezbollah militants began in mid-July, the "sea bridge" provided by Department of Defense (DoD) assets has helped nearly 15,000 American citizens safely depart Lebanon, while assisting in the distribution of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people.
After completing its JTF mission, USS Wasp was sent to Reykjavik, Iceland, to help further cement US-Icelandic Bilateral security arrangements. According to U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, Carol Van Voorst, the presence of Wasp in Iceland helped her show the Icelandic people the commitment the United States has to continuing relations with that country.
While on return transit to Norfolk, Wasp was redirected twice, to perform rescue-at-sea operations. On Nov. 2, Wasp received a request for medical assistance from the Chilean submarine, SSK Carrera, steaming more than 300 miles away. A Chilean sailor aboard the sub sustained injuries to his hand when a valve he was working on was accidentally closed. He was taken aboard Wasp, where doctors from Fleet Surgical Team Two began the process of examining him to determine the extent of his injuries. He then underwent surgery on his hand, and remains with Wasp for transport into Norfolk.
Less than 24-hours later, USS Wasp received instructions from 6th Fleet to change course again, and provide urgent medical assistance to a passenger aboard a civilian cruise liner. An elderly US veteran aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Century, which was on its way from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Fla., fell and sustained a life-threatening injury. USS Wasp's Level II medical capability and the embarked Norfolk-based Fleet Surgical Team Two provided an ideal emergency response. The well-equipped medical unit has many of the same capabilities as a civilian hospital, and is optimized for treatment of traumatic injuries.
As USS Wasp steamed towards the cruise ship, she received word that there was not only one passenger, but two additional passengers in need of urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities of the cruise liner's medical staff.
Around 2:00 a.m. local time on Nov. 4, USS Wasp pulled along side Celebrity Century and sent over a medical team to examine the passengers. The medical evaluations took several hours, and due to the extent of the medical conditions the decision was made that it would be in the best interest of the patients to bring them aboard USS Wasp for transportation to the nearest land-based hospital.
Once the passengers were on board USS Wasp, it was learned that the most seriously injured man was actually a World War II veteran who had served the country as a U.S. Army Combat Photographer. Once within range of the Azores, the injured and their families were flown via an MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter to the nearest hospital.
USS Wasp was able to continue on its homeward journey with only a slight change in schedule. USS Wasp is commanded by Capt. Michael D. Hawley, and on 14 November 2006, resumed its role as Second Fleet Flagship.
This "surge" deployment is a testament to the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), and was designed to be flexible, and provide presence and support to joint and allied forces. The Fleet Response Plan allows the Navy to better respond to the increased demand for naval forces and address maintenance, training and operational employment during the FRP cycle. Because of this flexibility, a realignment of schedules made this deployment possible.
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