SINGAPORE -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 2.

While in Singapore, Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to explore the Lion City.

Capt. Colby Howard, commanding officer of Wasp, says Singapore offers a well-deserved rest and relaxation opportunity for the more than 2,200 Sailors and Marines assigned to the ship.

“We are extremely grateful to the wonderful people of Singapore for allowing us the opportunity to conduct this port visit,” said Howard. “The Sailors and Marines on Wasp are very excited for some well-deserved time ashore after two very successful months of at-sea operations.”

Prior to this port visit Wasp and 31st MEU provided Defense Support to Civil Authorities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands following the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut, and conducted training in the East and South China Seas.

Wasp, the flagship for the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance amphibious capabilities with regional partners and to serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

Wasp serves as a sea-base for a number of Marine Corps missions from crisis response to non-combat operations. Wasp is forward deployed to Fleet Activities Sasebo and the 31st MEU is based out of Okinawa.