NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy amphibious assault ship is sailing from Norfolk to Haiti to assist in Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.
Officials say the USS Iwo Jima, with more than 500 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed Norfolk on Saturday.
The Iwo Jima is carrying nearly 225 pallets of supplies, including 800 cases of bottled water. The ship also took on four additional aircraft and two utility boats able to access fouled beaches.
The Iwo Jima, based out of Mayport, Florida, will ultimately relieve the USS Mesa Verde, which was due to arrive in Haiti early Sunday.
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary unit board the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Oct. 8, 2016, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Nearly 600 Marines and sailors with the 24th MEU are going underway with Iwo Jima to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the wake of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Matthew Callahan/Marine Corps
