NORFOLK — The U.S. Navy has deployed seven ships to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida to offer humanitarian relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
Hurricane Irma, which hit the Virgin Islands as a Category 5 storm last week, made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Sunday. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday, and is anticipated to head toward Georgia next, according to CNN.
The USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, was the first Naval support to arrive in the Virgin Islands. Sailors are providing helicopters that can transport people and supplies, doing damage assessments and evacuating those with intensive medical needs from St. Thomas to St. Croix, according to a Navy news release.
Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and dock landing ship USS Oakhill left Norfolk on Aug. 31 to provide relief to Texans in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey; however, the ship was redirected to the Virgin Islands to assist those affected by Irma.
The ships are also being assisted by Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to a news release.
On Friday, the Navy also deployed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York to assist those affected by Irma in Florida.
Destroyer USS Farragut was already underway and has been ordered to join the group in the hurricane relief efforts, according to a news release.
Iwo Jima and New York came to Norfolk last week to pick up more than 300 Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Second Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force to assist in the humanitarian efforts, the news release states.
The combined aircraft on all seven ships includes nearly 50 heavy- and medium-lift helicopters. The ships are able to provide medical support, security and logistics.
“The top priority of the federal government, as we work together to support civilian authorities, is to minimize suffering and protecting the lives and safety of those affected by Hurricane Irma,” the release states.
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