The Navy announced Monday it will move the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard to San Diego as it relocates forces to focus on the Pacific region.
The Bonhomme Richard, currently forward deployed to Japan, will be replaced there by the USS Wasp, which is relocating from Norfolk. As a result, one more more amphibious assault ship will be based in the Pacific theater.
The Wasp has been modernized to support the new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, and will host the first squadron of those Marine stealth jets in Japan.
The Bonhomme Richard, which is named for John Paul Jones’ famous Revolutionary War frigate, will be modernized while in San Diego.
The moves will take place in 2017, with specific timelines announced closer to the actual movement of the ships.
Amphibious assault ships are small aircraft carriers that support helicopters, vertical takeoff jets and tiltrotor aircraft. They lead amphibious groups carrying combat-ready Marines.
