MEDITERRANEAN SEA – As part of normal U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations to maintain a continued naval presence around the globe, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) recently began a planned relief in place in the Mediterranean Sea.

USS San Antonio, a part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), is now on station to support Operation Odyssey Lightning off the northern coast of Libya.

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) is the first ship of the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship (LPD). Her Sailors and Marines will continue the mission of providing support to Government of National Accord-aligned forces fighting to retake Sirte from the grasp of Daesh while maintaining all organic capabilities of the LPD-class ship.

Since Aug. 1, the combined campaign has leveraged GNA ground movements with U.S. air power to apply pressure throughout the offensive against Daesh. The airstrikes have significantly reduced Daesh's ability to utilize heavy weapons and enemy fighting positions, as well as having reduced the number of vehicle-born improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on GNA-aligned forces.

At the request of the GNA, U.S. assets will continue to provide precision airstrikes to the GNA-aligned forces as they maneuver through difficult urban terrain to take over structures inhabited by Daesh and used to launch attacks on friendly forces.