The USS Iwo Jima, which was stationed at Naval Station Mayport for the last seven years, is heading to a new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, in Friday.

The crew aboard the USS Iwo Jima returned home Monday to Naval Station Mayport following a seven month deployment.

MAYPORT, Fla. – The USS Iwo Jima has completed an important milestone on her journey to becoming a ready ship. Having now completed Type Command Readiness Evaluation Five Sea Trials, Mayport Naval Station’s newest ship is now being scheduled to undergo a basic training phase. Leaving Mayport on Feb. 6, the Iwo Jima’s engineering, operational, and combat systems were all put under scrutiny. “I am a repairman, so basically my area of responsibility is to do any maintenance and repairs on the fuel stations of the flight deck," Chapin said. More information about the USS Iwo Jima and its crew can be found at the Navy’s website.