A step closer to the USS Iwo Jima

ATLANTA, Ga. — We’ve landed in Atlanta and are waiting to board our connecting flight to Norfolk, Virginia.  The Navy town will be our final stop before we head to the base and board the USS Iwo Jima.

The ship gets its name from an important battle in February 1945 where U.S. Marine forces defended the tiny island of Iwo Jima from more than 20,000 Japanese defenders.

The naval ship is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship and is the third ship to make up the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The vessel is the largest in the group, measuring 844 feet in length and carrying up to 12 Ospreys and four Sea Stallion helicopters, among other aircraft.

The USS Fort McHenry will join the USS Iwo Jima when both get home-ported in Mayport on Sunday. Once the ship docks in Jacksonville, about 2,000 sailors will call the River City home, along with their families.

Stay with Action News for continuing coverage and follow me on Twitter @LorenaANjax for live updates.

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