USS WASP Returns to Naval Station Norfolk
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS141007-08
Release Date: 10/7/2014 12:48:00 PM
By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Johnson, USS Wasp Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair after a yearlong dry-dock phased maintenance availability (DPMA) to return to her homeport, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 30.
The move back to her homeport represents the next step in a two-year process to fully maximize and modernize equipment and systems aboard Wasp.
'We've had our weapons systems upgraded, our sensors and communications upgraded, and we've had the structure of the ship upgraded,' said Capt. Brian Teets, the ship's commanding officer. 'It's been two long years of work to modernize this warship and execute some modifications to bring aboard new equipment to allow us to fully employ the capabilities of the F-35B and more effectively operate with the other units of our amphibious ready group.'
For Sailors aboard Wasp, the two-hour transit down the Elizabeth River represented welcomed a new environment and new challenges.
'The environment is better here; being back on base,' said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Collin Brosz, a Sailor who checked aboard Wasp in March 2014, in the middle of DPMA. 'I'm looking forward to going out to sea and doing all the stuff I signed up for.'
Many Wasp Sailors echoed the excitement of being one step closer to operating forward in defense of the nation and in support of global partners and allies.
'This is why I joined the Navy,' said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Clarissa Medrano, another first-term Sailor who has been aboard Wasp throughout DPMA. 'I'm going to be on a warfighting ship doing something that improves the lives of others.'
Wasp will spend the next two years to preparing for her scheduled 2016 deployment; the next step is sea trials.
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