180114-N-QY759-0163 SASEBO, Japan (Jan. 14, 2018) Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) Commanding Officer Capt. Colby Howard holds a pier side press conference at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, after a four and a half month transit from Norfolk, Va. Wasp, capable of operating the U.S. Marine Corp's F-35B Join Strike Fighter, will replace USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David R. Krigbaum/Released)