Share
Commentary

Trump Sends "Silent Death" Ship to NK Conflict Zone

Share

Kim Jong Un is about to come face to face with yet more American naval power in the Pacific, and the latest addition sent by the Trump administration could rain down “silent death” on his North Korean regime.

According to Stars and Stripes, the USS Wasp — an amphibious assault ship with stealth attack capabilities — has been deployed to Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, joining the 7th Fleet’s show of force against Pyongyang. The ship will be replacing the USS Bonhomme Richard as the flagship of Task Force 76.

One of the key features of the Wasp is that it’s been modified to carry F-35B Lightning II stealth aircraft, allowing for nearly silent strikes against the North Koreans should the situation arise.

“The arrival of USS Wasp represents an increase in military capability and a commitment to our partners and allies for security and stability in the region,” a Navy statement from Capt. Colby Howard, the ship’s commander, read.

“Paired with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, we remain ready to execute the full range of military operations from crisis response to disaster relief.”

USS Wasp

The Wasp is fresh from a stint in Puerto Rico assisting with hurricane relief, where the amphibious assault ship headed after deployment from Norfolk.

According to Stars and Stripes, the ship’s “aircraft flew 108 missions in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, totaling 385 hours of flight time and moving 1,129 passengers along with 26,720 pounds of equipment and 1,718,200 pounds of various logistical support items, including 328,100 pounds of food and water.”

The Wasp is an 844-foot flattop ship that can carry up to 1,600 Marines at a time. However, it’s the stealth capabilities of the F-35B that are the real headline here.

Do you think the Trump administration needs to deploy more ships to the Pacific theater?

While the Wasp can’t necessarily carry the same number of planes as a carrier like the Reagan can, it’s a far more maneuverable ship — and wields the hyper-advanced F-35B, which is almost impossible to detect with radar, especially the superannuated equipment North Korea is saddled with.

While the Wasp may not make the same kind of headlines that a carrier like the Reagan would, the message is still pretty clear:

The Trump administration is not going to forget about the North Koreans or let its military power in the Pacific slack off.

If you’re a member of the Kim regime, that’s definitely going to make you think twice about another missile launch or nuclear test.

H/T American Military News

Related:
'Get Ready to Rock' - Trump Announces Massive Plan to Hyper Charge US Economy, Job Market

Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter with your thoughts on this story.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , ,
Share
C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014.
C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014. Aside from politics, he enjoys spending time with his wife, literature (especially British comic novels and modern Japanese lit), indie rock, coffee, Formula One and football (of both American and world varieties).
Birthplace
Morristown, New Jersey
Education
Catholic University of America
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Topics of Expertise
American Politics, World Politics, Culture




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation