"They enabled a potent strike capability to support forces on the ground in Sirte, safely executing over 400 combat sorties from Wasp's deck," the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Andrew Smith, said in the release.
Harrier jets and Super Cobra helicopters from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit provided the precision airstrike capability from both the Wasp and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio, the release explained.
The two ships alternated in carrying out the mission continuously from August 1 to December 6. Both crews completed their support of Operation Odyssey Lightning with no major safety issues or aircraft mishaps, according to the release.
On December 5, Libyan forces allied with the country’s United Nations-backed government announced they had retaken Sirte from Daesh. It was the only city outside of Iraq and Syria that the group controlled.
