The amphibious assault ship Wasp is leaving the eastern Mediterranean Sea along with the AV-8B Harries that have been attacking the Islamic State group in Libya since August, according to U.S. Africa Command.
The amphibious transport dock San Antonio is in the process of relieving the Wasp, AFRICOM announced on Friday.
The San Antonio will continue to provide air support to forces aligned to the Libyan government trying to retake the city of Sirte from Islamic State fighters, said AFRICOM spokesman Robyn Mack.
Although Harriers will no longer take part in air operations over Libya, the San Antonio has AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1Y helicopters from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (Reinforced) aboard, AFRICOM officials said. The squadron is serving as the aviation combat element for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
An AH-1W Super Cobra with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 takes off from the amphibious assault ship Wasp, July 28.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Ryan G. Coleman.
Between Aug. 1 and Oct. 18, the U.S. launched 330 airstrikes against Islamic State targets, according to AFRICOM. During its time off the coast of Libya, Wasp deployed almost three hundred bombs and flew more than 650 sorties, military officials said.
"No other global force has the flexibility and lethality on demand shown by the Marine Corps - Navy team, and in an era of declining enthusiasm for large, land-based deployments — especially to the Middle East — the optionality of sea basing stands out vividly," retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis told Marine Corps Times in August.
Navy Times reporter David B. Larter contributed to this story.
Marine Corps Times reporter Jeff Schogol can be reached at jschogol@marinecorpstimes.com
