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March 27, 2009

The Virginian-Pilot
© March 27, 2009

NORFOLK

Nearly 3,000 sailors and Marines are set to return home with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Navy announced Monday.

They've been deployed to the Middle East for seven months. The group consists of the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, Amphibious Squadron Four, the amphibious transport dock San Antonio, the amphibious dock landing ship Carter Hall, the guided-missile cruiser Vella Gulf,  and the guided-missile destroyer Ramage, all homeported in Hampton Roads, as well as the guided-missile destroyer Roosevelt, based in Mayport, Fla.

The Vella Gulf served as the flagship of the Navy's new anti-piracy effort, Combined Task Force 151, off the Horn of Africa. Ships in the group also participated in training exercises with naval forces from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

Today, the Iwo Jima, San Antonio and Vella Gulf are scheduled to return to Norfolk Naval Station, and the Carter Hall to Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

The Ramage is due in Norfolk on April 1. The Roosevelt was due in Mayport on Wednesday.