The Pentagon announced Thursday that two Navy ships assisting with hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico will be departing the region.
The amphibious assault ship Wasp and the dock landing ship Oak Hill are slated to depart the still-battered island after the Federal Emergency Management Agency determined “in consultation with the Governor of Puerto Rico, that some defense department assets are no longer needed,” according to a Pentagon release.
Pulling the two ships from the effort comes as roughly three quarters of the U.S. territory remains without power.
The ships have mainly provided helicopter support for the relief effort, according to the release.
“FEMA and DoD have determined there are sufficient land-based helicopters and lift capabilities in the territories to continue helping the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as they recover,” the release states.
Both ships are home-ported in Virginia.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
