More than 2,500 Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) completed a port visit to Rota, Spain, July 17.

The crew refueled and resupplied the ship prior to its transit of the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea.

Quotes:

"It's a luxury to be able to use such a logistically placed base here in Spain. Prior to entering the Mediterranean we're going to get some gas and supplies, pick up our mail, and our Sailors will get the opportunity to buy anything they need for the long journey ahead." - USS Wasp Command Master Chief Greg Carlson.

Quick facts:

This is Wasp's first foreign port visit since 2004, during her return from her last regularly scheduled deployment.

During this one-day visit the ship took on over 600,000 gallons of fuel, over 1,100 pounds of mail, as well as food and other essential supplies.

Wasp is the flagship for the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

The Wasp ARG is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Wasp, commanded by Capt. Andrew Smith, left her homeport of Norfolk June 25 for a regularly scheduled deployment.

The Wasp ARG is comprised of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 6, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41).

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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For more information about USS Wasp (LHD 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.