The Wasp is the lead ship of the most successful class of amphibious assault ships in history—a design that has proven itself in every environment from the Mediterranean to the Pacific. Commissioned in 1989, she combines a large aviation flight deck with a well deck capable of launching landing craft and amphibious vehicles, giving her unmatched flexibility. She has carried Marines to every major operational theater, always ready for whatever comes next. The name Wasp has been a fighting name in the U.S. Navy for centuries.