Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 **

        
        ABOUT
                        Our Core Values
                Our Core Attributes
                Mission
                Our Heritage

                            About
                    LEADERSHIP
                        Secretary of the Navy
                Chief of Naval Operations
                    America's Warfighting Navy
                Vice Chief of Naval Operations
                Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
                Chief of Naval Personnel
                Senior Executives
                Flag Officer Biographies

                            Leadership
                    PRESS OFFICE
                        Press Briefings
                Press Releases
                Testimony
                Speeches
                Statements
                News Stories

                            Press Office
                    ALL HANDS
                    PAY & PERSONNEL
                        MyNavy HR
                Contact MyNavy Career Center
                Military Careers
                Civilian Careers

                            Pay & Personnel
                    RESOURCES
                        Photo Gallery
                Videos
                Graphics Gallery
                Social Media Directory & Guidance
                App Locker
                Browse by Topic
                Podcasts
                Plan of the Month
                CNO Professional Reading Program
                DUSN Intelligence and Security
                Strategic Library
                Fact Files
                RSS Feeds
                Frequently Asked Questions
                COVID-19 Updates
                NAVADMINs
                ALNAVs
                Contact Us

                            Resources
                    TRANSLATE

        **
                SearchHome

    
            Press Office

News Stories

Home

    
            Press Office

News Stories



ABOUT
                                Our Core Values
                    Our Core Attributes
                    Mission
                    Our Heritage
                    LEADERSHIP
                                Secretary of the Navy
                    Chief of Naval Operations
                                America's Warfighting Navy
                    Vice Chief of Naval Operations
                    Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
                    Chief of Naval Personnel
                    Senior Executives
                    Flag Officer Biographies
                    PRESS OFFICE
                                Press Briefings
                    Press Releases
                    Testimony
                    Speeches
                    Statements
                    News Stories
                    ALL HANDS
                    PAY & PERSONNEL
                                MyNavy HR
                    Contact MyNavy Career Center
                    Military Careers
                    Civilian Careers
                    RESOURCES
                                Photo Gallery
                    Videos
                    Graphics Gallery
                    Social Media Directory & Guidance
                    App Locker
                    Browse by Topic
                    Podcasts
                    Plan of the Month
                    CNO Professional Reading Program
                    DUSN Intelligence and Security
                    Strategic Library
                    Fact Files
                    RSS Feeds
                    Frequently Asked Questions
                    COVID-19 Updates
                    NAVADMINs
                    ALNAVs
                    Contact Us
                    TRANSLATE  Collapse All

            Keyword
                
                Categories

                    CategoriesAll Navy CategoriesCapabilities and CommunitiesCareerAdvancement & PromotionAwards, Honors & RecognitionLeadershipCNOMCPONNavy FamilyPersonal SafetyOutreachCNPSECNAVUNDERSECNSWG2NSWG2AIRLANTAIRPACBLUESBUMEDC10FC2FC3FC4FC5FC6FC7FCFAYCHAPCORPSCLFCLOCNFJCNFKCNICCNPCNSPCONSTITCPFCSG4CTF63CTF64CTF65CTF67CTF68CTF69CVN68CVN69CVN70CVN71CVN72CVN73CVN74CVN75CVN76CVN77CVN78CYBERAWAREDESRON40EOD1FRSEGREATLAKESGTMOGUAMIDMLCC19LCC20LHA6LHD1LHD2LHD3LHD4LHD5LHD7LHD8LOGRUWPLPD17LPD19LPD21LPD24MOH_BYERSMOH_MONSMOH_MURPHMOH_SLABMSCN7NASJAXNAVAFNAVAIRNAVCONAVEURNAVFACNAVSEANAVSUPNBSDNCISNECCNETCNPSNRFNSCNSWNSWCDDNSWG2NWCNWDCPSNSRIMPACSAPRSUBASEKBSUBLANTSUBPACSURFLANTTAH19TAH20TMTRFUSNACNONavy HeadlinesChaplain CorpsBrowse by TopicAircraft CarriersAmphibious ShipsAviationChaplain CorpsCommunitiesCurrent NewsDeckplatesEducation and TrainingEnvironmentExercisesGraphicsHumanitarian AssistanceMedicalMyNavyHRNaval HistoryNavy LeadershipNavy SportsOutreachPeopleResearch and DevelopmentShore FacilitiesSTEMSubmarinesSurface ShipsOLAOLAPartnershipsVCNOterm
                
                Start and End Date
            USS Wasp Arrives in The Bahamas to Celebrate Nation's 50th Year of Independence

                    

                    28 July 2023
                    
                    From MC2 Amber Speer

                    
                    NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) - On June 28, amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) arrived in Nassau, The Bahamas for a port visit aimed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of U.S. - The Bahamas relations and the 50th anniversary of Bahamian independence.

                    
                    
                    Download Icon Download
                    
                    Download Icon Download
                                
                                
                                Share
                                    PRINT

                                    RSSTags
                                    TagWasp



TagLHD 1



TagUSS Wasp (LHD 1)



TagUSS Wasp



TagBahamas



TagMaritime Partnership Exercise



Tagbilateral cooperation
                        More Details
    
    
    NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Sailors man the rails on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the ship pulls in to port in The Bahamas Nassau, June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Bahamian independence, and the opportunity to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric A. Moser)




Sailors man the rails
        Wasp Arrives in The Bahamas
            NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Sailors man the rails on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the ship pulls in to port in The Bahamas Nassau, June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Bahamian independence, and the opportunity to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric A. Moser)
        
            SHARE IMAGE:
                
                Download Image
                    Image Details          
                    
                    Photo By: MC2 Eric Moser
                    
                    VIRIN: 230628-N-CF580-1045



 












During the visit, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Embassy Nassau will host officials from the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and senior members of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force with an official reception onboard Wasp to celebrate the unique bilateral ties between the two nations as well as a half-century of sovereignty.
“We recognize that our strong partnership is tremendously important for the national security of both nations,” said Lt. Gen. A. C. Roper, deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command. “We continue to collaborate closely to protect our shared interests and ensure the well-being of all our citizens.”
In the spirit of developing a connection with the local community, Wasp Sailors are scheduled to visit the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls to provide mentorship, hands-on demonstrations of several Navy skillsets, and participate in extracurricular activities such as soccer, basketball and/or an obstacle course race.More Details
    
    
    230628-N-CJ603-2065
NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Capt. Nakia Cooper, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), answers questions at a media availability on the flight deck, June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bahamian independence and an opportunity to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amber Speer)




Capt. Nakia Cooper stands in front of the National Ensign and The Bahamian flag
        230628-N-CJ603-2065
            230628-N-CJ603-2065
NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Capt. Nakia Cooper, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), answers questions at a media availability on the flight deck, June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bahamian independence and an opportunity to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amber Speer)
        
            SHARE IMAGE:
                
                Download Image
                    Image Details          
                    
                    Photo By: MC2 Amber Speer
                    
                    VIRIN: 230628-N-CJ603-2065



 

















"We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit and experience this gorgeous nation and wonderful Bahamian people during such a historic occasion," said Capt. Nakia Cooper, Wasp’s commanding officer.
Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Wasp is a United States Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship with a primary mission to support U.S. Marines in combat and to also provide disaster relief and medical support to those in need.
The lead ship of her class, she is the tenth USN vessel to bear the name since 1775, but certainly not the first of her namesake to visit The Bahamas. USS Wasp’s first trip to the white beaches and clear waters of The Bahamas was made almost two-and-a-half centuries ago by a wooden hull merchant schooner originally named Scorpion. Purchased, outfitted and commissioned in 1775, the first ever Wasp set sail in the company of USS Hornet, a merchant sloop. From Baltimore, they sailed for the Delaware Capes to join Commodore Esek Hopkins’ squadron: the first American squadron to get to sea.
The fleet made its way to The Bahamas, arriving at the Abaco Islands March 1, 1776. Wasp was one of two ships to cover the Marine units that stormed ashore and assisted in the taking of Fort Montague and Fort Nassau from Britain. Here, they took as much ammunition and weaponry as they could before Wasp returned to the states two weeks later.
Having recently taken part in Fleet Week New York 2023, Wasp now returns to The Bahamas. This time around, the primary mission is to celebrate.More Details
    
    
    230628-N-CJ603-2122
NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Members from the Bahamian media agencies interview Lt. Travon Adderly on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bahamian independence and an opportunity a to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amber Speer)




Members of the media interview Officer aboard Wasp
        230628-N-CJ603-2122
            230628-N-CJ603-2122
NASSAU, The Bahamas (June 28, 2023) Members from the Bahamian media agencies interview Lt. Travon Adderly on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), June 28, 2023. Wasp is in Nassau, The Bahamas for a scheduled port visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bahamian independence and an opportunity a to strengthen the 50-year bilateral partnership with the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an important relationship with a key regional partner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amber Speer)
        
            SHARE IMAGE:
                
                Download Image
                    Image Details          
                    
                    Photo By: MC2 Amber Speer
                    
                    VIRIN: 230628-N-CJ603-2122



 

















In 1973, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas earned its independence from Britain after 255 years of control under the Crown. On July 10, The Bahamas will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary of governmental independence.
“The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Northern Command are hosting a reception onboard,” said Capt. Chris Purcell, Wasp executive officer. “Not only are we celebrating their independence, but we’re also celebrating the United States’ relationship with the Bahamian government. Wasp
has a special connection with The Bahamas; our presence goes back as far as the history of the United States.”
This visit is also a long-awaited reunion as the Embassy’s own Senior Defense Official Capt. Gregg Gellman served aboard Wasp over 20 years ago.
“It’s great to see the Wasp still out there building relationships with our foreign partners,” Gellman said. “Part of the joy of being ship’s crew is waking up in a new partner’s country and sharing our experiences with each other. I find that navies all over the world speak the same language, we just do it in a different accent!”
This trip is an opportunity for Wasp to grow the friendship between the United States and The Bahamas. Sailors aboard Wasp are more than excited for the opportunity to see one of the islands and experience Bahamian culture.
This port visit is the first time many Sailors will get to visit another part of the world. It is also a milestone for Wasp, marking the first time the ship is docking at a foreign port since departing from Japan in 2020.
“I’ve never been outside the country,” said Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Apprentice Alex Wells, who remarked how excited he was to be part of an organization that by trade brings its employees to all corners of the world. “I want to try their food and see what life is like there. I have no idea what I’m going to get to experience, but I can’t wait to find out.”

            
            


            Share
                        PRINT

                        RSS


Press Briefings

 Subject specific information for the media
 Press Releases

 Events or announcements of note for the media
 Statements

 Official Navy statements
 Speeches

 Given by Navy leadership
 Testimony

 HASC, SASC and Congressional testimonyGoogle Translation Disclaimer LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE LINKS
        Site MapFOIANavy.comPrivacy PolicyNo Fear Act DataUSA.govSection 508SAPRVeterans Crisis LineNCIS TipsInformation QualityOpen GovernmentPlain WritingPrivacy ProgramDOD Strategic and Performance PlansVA Vet CenterFVAPSmall Business Office
    
    United States Navy
                                Chief of InformationAttn: US Navy1200 Navy PentagonWashington DC 20350-1200
        Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil