USS WASP FAMILY

We are visiting our son in Norfolk this week.  We got to go on the Wasp Christmas Day to eat a special dinner with our son.  The ship had a special holiday buffet for all the sailors that had duty that day and invited families to come eat with them.  What a special treat for our family to get to be together!  We didn't think we would get to see our son until his duty ended the day after Christmas, so it was awesome when he called us to say we could come eat with him on the ship!  Thanks to the Wasp's crew for making the day so special for families.  Our son was deeply touched Christmas morning while he was on watch at the guard station when a little girl came running up to the door of the guard station carrying 2 gifts.  She handed them to my son and the other person on watch and said "My family thanks you for standing watch on Christmas".  Then she ran back to get in the car with her mom and they drove off.  The gift bag contained homemade cookies, a pair of gloves, hand warmers and chap stick.  That meant so much to my son and I appreciate that family's kindness.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Hello All, I see we don't have much activity here but maybe we can change that. I spoke to my son and they are underway right now. I don't want to mention when they will be back because my son says: "Loose lips, sink ships". All I can say is that they were/are on a Humanitarian mission. Can anyone tell me what that is? If you have information please post it.

Marcy, Welcome and I will message you.

Hi Tamara, thank you for the welcome!

Here's a CNN story from aboard the Wasp dated September 2, 2011:  "Navy is changing the way it prepares for storms".

LHD-class Navy ships are unique in that they are both amphibious assault ships and "hospital" ships with great medical capabilities.  USS Wasp is able to provide medical care to up to 600 patients, which makes them ideal for humanitarian missions as well as for handling combat-related casualties.  (For example, last year the USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) took part in the four-month Operation Continuing Promise, providing medical care in eight countries in the Caribbean and South America.)  The Wasp has four main and two emergency operating rooms, four dental operating rooms, x-ray rooms, a blood bank, laboratories, and patient wards.  

When hurricane Katrina hit, USNS Comfort (a hospital ship, not an LHD) was dispatched to aid relief.  Thankfully these latest storms haven't been of that magnitude - but then again, hurricane season doesn't officially end until November 30th.

And they're eating well ~  this CNN story from 9/7/11 is about "the créme de la créme of Navy chefs" aboard the Wasp!  Link:  "Navy chef has captive clientele"

Hello All,

My daddy passed away a month ago and my Sailor spoke. He is named after my daddy and he spoke about his name. I was so proud. When he cried I cried. I googled the uss wasp and now I receive alerts.This helps me out a lot since I don't hear from him much. He will send me an email when he get a chance.

Hi Everybody,

My son just got his orders to report to the USS Wasp by 18 Nov 11, looking forward to getting to know everybody on here.

PLEASE KEEP THIS TRUCK MOVING AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT!!!
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MAY WE SAY A PRAYER THAT THEY SEE THEIR FAMILIES SOON... ALL THE TROOPS COME HOME FOR GOOD! ♥

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From my house to your house:Happy Thanksgiving!

My Sailor made advancement to E-4!! I am so proud of him.

Hello everyone !! My son arrived in Norfolk to the USS WASP in Oct. He is in the IT program. Just this week he upgraded his clearance and is with OPS. Whatever that is. He should be in Norfolk over the next 4 yrs. We are thrilled with it only being 5hrs away. He completed his A & C school in Pensacola, Fl. Dec 17th, will make 1yr since PIR. I just found this page today. I'm so glad to have others on the same ship to discuss with !! Have a great day !!

Hi MarylandMom....My son just arrived on the ship a couple weeks ago as well.  My son was dropped from the Submarine field and sent to the USS Wasp undesignated.  Is he living on the ship or did he get housing?

He is living on the ship at this time. wants to find housing, so he somewhere tp put his stuff. he has a tote in back of his car that he keeps clothes and some personal items in !!

Wishing everybody a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. My Sailor is coming home for 9 days after Christmas.  Best present ever.

Congrats Jacky. My son came home on Monday and will leave to go back on the 26th. The goodbyes dont seem to get any easier.

I also want to with everyone a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. May our Sailors stay safe during 2012 and beyond !!

My hubby is now stationed to the Wasp. We just moved here from Texas. I know no one and we are both pretty lonely would love to meet some of you ladies who are close by maybe :D

They have been underway since the 9th. I think they will be back in on Thurs or friday

I hope everybody is following the BOLD ALLIGATOR 2012 facebook page, alot of neat pics of the ship....really awesome pic of it in the early evening with a red sky

Im new to the USS Wasp family and I just wanted to say Hello to everyone.

Hi Earl's Wife....When did your Sailor arrive on the Wasp....and welcome to the group, What is his rank?

Wow, do you all have good timing or what?!  That's wonderful!

I am driving over and staying the week in New Orleans from Houston.  Is anybody else making the journey?

welcome to the WASP family gonavymom! 

Is anyone making the trip to New York for FleetWeek ??  I have been trying to find out some info on where to stay, activities, and such. Not having much luck. The one hotel that I saw , was 1300 to stay for 3 nights !!  Cant do that !!

Maryland Mom.... I live in Houston and driving over this morning, we are staying about 4 miles from where the USS Wasp will be docked at a La Quinta, and for 5 nights it is 600.00. You can find out activities days and times at www.NOLAnavyweek.com.....If you send me your Sailors name, I will try to find them, my Son will need a liberty buddy to leave the ship.

gonavymom all sailors are supposed to have a buddy at all times when getting out of the ship, for safety reasons. This is my hubby's 2nd underway. We got here in Jan and I would love to go to Fleet Week in NYC but I'm starting a new job next week and cant take off :(

Awwww that is so awesome. Would you mind to take pictures and send me copies to my email? dennise.velez@gmail.com I really would appreciate if you could.

My friends hubby is the one on charge of making sure the ship is stock with all they need, maybe she will work with him.

Thanks Earls Wife !! I am interested in any info you can pass along. Got a message from my son last night. He said they were finally at port. There were so many drunk people and ruined white uniforms !! He was glad that he had duty last night. Hope they all keep their heads on straight and no one gets into trouble.

MerylandMom, unfortunately there’s always couple of people that ruin the fun for the rest. I’m really hoping that no one gets in trouble, because then everyone gets grounded and they can’t get out of the ship.

I have been looking into going to Fleet Week in NYC. I have family there so I’m hoping to kill two birds with one stone :)

Just posted some photos from Tuesday in a new Discussion :)  Great to meet Jacki and her family - love your mom, and your little one is a bundle of energy!  My being there was a last-minute thing and I'm so glad I could see the Wasp and our sailors arrive.

Don't know anything about New York at this point, gnm.

However, here are some links for the next port starting Wed morning :)

Facebook - Fleet Week Ft Lauderdale 2012

Live webcam:  Port Everglades