USS Iwo Jima deploys from NS Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) departed Naval Station Norfolk Monday on a four-month deployment.

The deployment will take the Iwo Jima to the U.S. Naval Southern Command area of focus as part of a large humanitarian operation called Continuing Promise.

Officials say non-governmental organizations, Iwo Jima sailors, Marines, as well as the Air Force Band and Army veterinarians will participate in the mission. The U.S. Public Health Service is also sending representatives on the deployment.

"It demonstrates our strong commitment to our neighborhood and the nations in our community," said CAPT Tom Negus, Mission Commander

As part of Continuing Promise, the Navy says the Iwo Jima will deploy to eight Central and South American and Caribbean nations.  The ship's first stop will be in Haiti, where victims of January's earthquake are still struggling.

"Many of our great Americans that are going down there will be going ashore to provide assistance and if there's specific needs where people need to be treated on board, we'll bring them out to the ship," said CAPT Jeff Amick, Commanding Officer of the USS Iwo Jima.

Among U.S. Navy vessels, the Iwo Jima has medical facilities second only to a hospital ship like the USNS Comfort.

"We have four operating rooms that we can be running," said CAPT William Tanner, Senior Medical Officer on the USS Iwo Jima.  "We have an ICU and a full on medical ward."

With a crew of 1,100 sailors, and 500 embarked Marines, the Iwo Jima will engage in numerous exercises and operations, including theater security cooperation and military-to-military engagements.