Apopka native keeping the seas safe as a crew member on the Navy ship USS America

PACIFIC OCEAN - With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

And Robert Wynn is an important part of that team.

Wynn, an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class, and an Apopka native, is assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Robert Wynn, from Apopka, Fla., assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), signals a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to hover above the flight deck for a fast rope exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan D. Berlier).[/caption]

USS America (LHA-6), is an amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy and the lead ship of her class. The fourth U.S. warship to be named for the United States of America, she was delivered in the spring of 2014, replacing Peleliu of the Tarawa class. Her mission is to act as the flagship of an expeditionary strike group or amphibious ready group, carrying part of a Marine expeditionary unit into battle and putting them ashore with helicopters and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, supported by F-35B Lightning II aircraft and helicopter gunships.

The ship's design is based on USS Makin Island, but to allow more room for aviation facilities she does not have a well-deck and has smaller medical spaces. With a displacement of 45,000 tons, she is as large as many other countries' aircraft carriers and can fulfill similar missions when configured with 20 F-35B strike fighters.

America's original home port was San Diego, until 2019, when it was changed to Sasebo, Japan.