Work and play aboard USS Iwo Jima

Saturday aboard the Iwo Jima involved a combination of work and play. For a ship where there's someone working 24 hours a day, some downtime for was a welcome change.

This will be one of the last meals sailors and Marines have before arriving in Mayport.

Day 2 of the journey got off to a busy start with flight operations on the deck taking Marines over to the Fort McHenry.

For many, life at sea isn't easy.

Mason Graham, U.S. Marine said, “It's a long way away from the family we're gone anywhere from six to nine months.”

Today they got to let loose and wind down at a picnic in the Hangar Bay.

A sailor showed Action News a special room honoring those who fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. A wall shows the 27 Marines who were awarded medals of honor.

“This is our celebration, this is how we commemorate what this ship means to our sailors,” said Michael Carter, warrant officer.

The USS Iwo Jima's stay in Mayport will be short lived for now. In December she will be deployed again.

The Iwo Jima will return to her home port in Mayport once her deployment is completed.

Many family and friends of those on board will be lining the dock waiting for the ship to come home.

WJAX