Iwo Jima ARG deploys

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group will deploy from Norfolk Tuesday for eight months at sea.

Four thousand sailors and marines will be on board the USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall.

The commander of the ARG, Captain Mark H. Scovill, says their mission is to train, be a presence, and work with allies.

While there is tension in the Strait of Hormuz, Scovill said they're treating this like every other deployment.

The Iwo Jima and the New York will leave from Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, while the USS Gunston Hall will deploy from Little Creek Fort Story.

The ships will head to the fifth and sixth fleet areas, patrolling parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

"Even before our last deployment ended, the ships began designing training plans and maintenance plans to get ready for this day," said Scovill.  "And we feel that we are ready.  It's been a team effort.  The team's a lot bigger than these three ships."

Scovill said their team includes the chain of command, the training teams, the shipyard workers who have gotten the ships ready for the deployment, and the people who have been loading them with supplies.  He said they are ready for this deployment because of a joint effort from everyone.

After the three ships leave Norfolk on Tuesday, they will head down to Camp Lejeune and deploy in the next few days.