The amphibious assault ship Wasp is heading to Japan next year to replace the Bonhomme Richard as the forward-deployed big deck.
The Wasp was tapped to support the roll-out of the vertical-launch version of the F-35, which it has been upgraded to accommodate, according to a release from U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Wasp and the Sasebo-based Bonhomme Richard will switch out in the Fall of 2017. Bonhomme Richard will shift home ports to San Diego, California, leaving Norfolk with one less big deck amphib, which are typically manned with about 1,200 sailors.
The Wasp is slated to return to once it completes its tour in Japan, according to a Navy official who spoke on background.
The ship recently upgraded its self-defense and IT systems ahead of the move, the release said.
The Wasp and its embarked Marine aircraft were launching strikes on Islamic State group targets in Libya until last week, when it was relieved by the amphibious transport dock San Antonio.
Wasp departed Norfolk in June for a seven-month deployment.
