6,000 sailors, Marines will deploy with Iwo Jima group this week

Posted to: Military Norfolk

The Virginian-Pilot
© August 24, 2008

NORFOLK

About 6,000 sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will leave next week for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Middle East, the Navy announced.

The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima and amphibious transport dock San Antonio (LPD 17) will leave Norfolk Naval Station on Tuesday, as will the amphibious dock landing ship Carter Hall, based at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

The guided-missile destroyer Ramage and guided-missile cruiser Vella Gulf will leave Friday. The Florida-based guided-missile destroyer Roosevelt will round out the group.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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"Mighty 17"

Submitted by LPD17Plankowner on Mon, 08/25/2008 at 12:50 pm.

After all the yrs of hard work and B.S. she finally making the 1st cruise. Stay safe out there. People are just jealous they couldn't make history like we did brining a new class of ship to life.

Ol'Airdale

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