The Navy has ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to get underway on Friday, along with two amphibious ships and a destroyer, in order to help with relief operations as Florida prepares for the weekend arrival of Hurricane Irma.
Lincoln, which is based in Norfolk, Va., will be joined by the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and amphibious transport dock USS New York. In addition, the destroyer USS Farragut, which is already underway, has been ordered to join the flotilla.
The ships will be in position off Florida to provide relief operations if needed. The ships include 300 members of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Combined, the four ships also carry CH-53E heavy lift helicopters and MH-60S and MH-60R medium-lift helos.
The ships are equipped to lift people and supplies while also providing medical support and security. The amphibious ships also contain watercraft that can be used to move supplies and people.
The Navy earlier this week rerouted the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, along with other members of the 26th MEU. Those units had originally been sent to aid in relief efforts off the coast of Texas after Hurricane Harvey, but were sent east.
