The vessel is in route to a four-month humanitarian mission that will include visits to the Caribbean, Central and South America. The ship's first stop will be in Haiti, where victims of January's earthquake are still recovering.

Large amphibious ships, like Iwo Jima, resemble small aircraft carriers and include the ability to rapidly move personnel and cargo by helicopter and landing craft, making it an ideal platform to support humanitarian relief missions.

The crew of the Iwo Jima will be joined during the mission by medical, dental and engineering professionals from Canada, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands and Paraguay.  In addition to supporting the humanitarian assistance mission, Iwo Jima will also be staffed and configured to support disaster relief operations in the region if directed by U.S. Southern Command.

Visits by vessels such as the USS Iwo Jima have a positive economic impact to Miami-Dade County with approximately 1500 crew members here from July 19 - 21st.

For additional information about the USS Iwo Jima please visit United States Southern Command website.

The Port of Miami is pleased to announce the arrival of the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious Navy ship.