USS Iwo Jima, USS New York return after helping with Irma recovery

NORFOLK, Va. – The USS Iwo Jima and the USS New York returned home Tuesday after completing rescue and recovery operations tied to Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys.

The USS Iwo Jima is described as an amphibious assault ship and the USS New York has been called an amphibious transport dock ship.

The ships held Navy and Marine Corps units, and on Sunday supported federal and state officials in their work in the Keys.

This will help the Federal Emergency Management Agency with state and local efforts until the Florida National Guard can take over long-term recovery operations, according to a statement from the Navy.

The Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit, from Jacksonville, was among the units supporting the mission.

While on station, sailors and Marines worked along the Lower Keys, from Marathon to Key West, clearing debris from 15 miles of roadway, distributing food, water, tarps and blankets, and repairing generators and other critical infrastructure such as water-pumping stations, the Navy said.

The combined ships held nearly 2,000 members of the military, who provided logistic support, medium- and heavy-lift air support, medical support, maritime civil affairs and maritime security.