The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) departed from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 10, commencing the ship’s homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia.
According to a recent Navy news release, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to execute a homeport shift from Mayport to Naval Station Norfolk.
Iwo Jima’s reassignment to Naval Station Norfolk is part of a series of planned homeport shifts to consolidate amphibious ships in Hampton Roads while increasing the number of guided-missile destroyers in Mayport.
Iwo Jima is the seventh ship of the Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ships. The ship main mission is to embark, deploy, land and support a Marine landing force.
The ship was specifically designed to accommodate air cushion, landing craft (LCAC) for fast troop movement over the beach and AV-8B Harrier or F-35B aircraft to provide close-in air support for the assault force. Iwo Jima can also carry up to 26 Navy/USMC helicopters for troop movement, air support, and search-and-rescue movements.