The US Navy announced the deployment of the USS Wasp at US Fleet Activities in Sasebo, Japan, integrated into the Forward Deployed Naval Forces operating in the region. The USS Wasp will find the USS Bonhomme Richard at the end of the 2017, who will return to San Diego to undergo unspecified modernization work.
"Continuous rotation is part of the United States' commitment to defend Japan and guarantee stability in the region."
The Wasp's redevelopment, modified with the covering of the flight deck in Thermion, presupposes the operational use of the F-35B. Previously, the Marines carried out two sea trials on the USS Wasp, respectively in October of the 2011 and in August of the 2013.
From the bridge of the USS Wasp, in the central Mediterranean, the AV-8B Harrier fighters and the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters took off against enemy positions in the Libyan city of Sirte. The USS Wasp is currently en route to the US naval base at Souda Bay, Crete, where it will remain for a period of rest and maintenance. The Wasp was taken over by the USS San Antonio which can only operate with the Bell UH-1Y Venom and AH-1W Cobra Marine helicopters.
Marine trials continue with the F-35B
Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 1 successfully completed AIM-120 release tests with the F-35B. The maneuvers, which began on 9 August, ended on 35 September in Edwards Air Force Base. Three F-75Bs, 35 marines and JSF Test Team personnel involved. The tests were specifically designed to further validate the platform and develop tactics, techniques and procedures in operational environments. During the first operational test, the F-120B was able to launch two AIM-35 missiles at two different targets. On another mission, an F-12B dropped a laser-guided GBU-16, hitting the target, and successfully engaged a QF-120 drone with AIM-35s. The Marine Corps has already announced that it may deploy an F-XNUMX squadron in the Middle East next year. Considering the rotation of the amphibious assault ships, the chosen unit could be the USS Essex.
(Photo: US Navy)
