US Navy

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) is based in Norfolk.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- A Norfolk-based ship carrying nearly 1,300 sailors will return home Saturday after a ten-week deployment overseas.

The amphibious assault ship Wasp had been sent to the waters off Beirut to help evacuation efforts from the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.

It was then sent to Iceland, where it was used as an ambassador to shore up relations.

The 2nd Fleet reports that on its way home to Norfolk, the Wasp was redirected twice for rescue operations at sea.

On November 2nd, the Wasp helped an injured sailor aboard the Chilean submarine Carrera, steaming more than 300 miles away. The sailor was taken aboard the Wasp, where surgeons operated on him.

The next day, the Wasp changed course again to provide medical help to three passengers aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Century, which was on its way from Spain to Miami. They were injured when the ship rolled in heavy seas.

Doctors aboard the Wasp evaluated the injured passengers, who were flown by military helicopter to the nearest hospital.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)