The Wasp is an LHD. Actually the LHD's are Wasp class, since it is the first of the ship class. The Wasp is a Amphibious Assault Helo Carrier. The vast majority of Aircrew members are embarked Marines that come aboard with their air wings for deployments, they are not on board ship except in preparation for deployments. These gentlemen are Aircrew for the Navy Helo's, as these are sailors. The ballcaps are Wasp Command and the sailor in the middle with the second class rank insignia is definitively Navy. I have a very substantial amount of time aboard these ships in service aboard the Wasp in the mid to late 90's and subsequently working aboard all the LHD's as a civilian. The patch that states "Make Aircrew Great Again" may be a Command based approved patch for their uniform. I have not been aboard the Wasp for several years since I am unvaccinated in Government service, I am still prohibited from travelling for official DoD duty. The aircrews do have their own insignia for their airwings and commonly have humorous or novel images. I have a patch from the det in Bahrain of Felix the Cat somewhere with their squadron identity. It is interesting that their squadron identifier is not on this patch and may mean this was placed on their uniform temporarily as a salute to President Trump. Either way, this is not a political statement as any President may receive special treatment when visiting a military post. Supporting a current or former Commander in Chief is unrelated to the party of the President. Whether the Navy decides to punish these sailors is completely arbitrary, as the Navy has gone completely unpredictable in the administration of their rules.
The Wasp is an LHD. Actually the LHD's are Wasp class, since it is the first of the ship class. The Wasp is a Amphibious Assault Helo Carrier. The vast majority of Aircrew members are embarked Marines that come aboard with their air wings for deployments, they are not on board ship except in preparation for deployments. These gentlemen are Aircrew for the Navy Helo's, as these are sailors. The ballcaps are Wasp Command and the sailor in the middle with the second class rank insignia is definitively Navy. I have a very substantial amount of time aboard these ships in service aboard the Wasp in the mid to late 90's and subsequently working aboard all the LHD's as a civilian. The patch that states "Make Aircrew Great Again" may be a Command based approved patch for their uniform. I have not been aboard the Wasp for several years since I am unvaccinated in Government service, I am still prohibited from travelling for official DoD duty. The aircrews do have their own insignia for their airwings and commonly have humorous or novel images. I have a patch from the det in Bahrain of Felix the Cat somewhere with their squadron identity. It is interesting that their squadron identifier is not on this patch and may mean this was placed on their uniform temporarily as a salute to President Trump. Either way, this is not a political statement as any President may receive special treatment when visiting a military post. Supporting a current or former Commander in Chief is unrelated to the party of the President. Whether the Navy decides to punish these sailors is completely arbitrary, as the Navy has gone completely unpredictable in the administration of their rules.