IN THIS ISSUE
Navy Public Affairs Command holds change of command and retirement ceremony NPAC held a combined change of command and retirement ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, May 28, marking the transfer of leadership from Capt. Sarah Self-Kyler to Capt. Richlyn Ivey and celebrating Self-Kyler’s retirement after 27 years of service. Page A3
NORFOLK, VA. (June 6, 2026) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) returns to Naval Station Norfolk following a 10-month deployment as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG). Iwo Jima, the flagship of the IWO ARG, deployed to the Caribbean in support of U.S. Southern Command, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS GREGGORY FISHER)
Protecting the Homeland: USS Iwo Jima, 22nd MEU (SOC) returns from historic ten-month deployment Courtesy Story COMMANDER, U.S. 2ND FLEET
NORFOLK, Va. — Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va. on June 6 following a historic 10-month deployment to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of operations. Iwo Jima is the flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG). IWO ARG is also comprised of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio returned to Naval Station Norfolk April 29, and Fort Lauderdale remains deployed. IWO ARG was the first group of expeditionary naval assets called on to support Operation Southern Spear*.* While on mission in the Caribbean, Sailors and Marines of the IWO ARG and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) - Special Operations Capable (SOC) supported national-level tasking, which included enhanced counter narcotics operations. “The exceptional performance of every Sailor and Marine is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Capt. Chris Farricker, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 8. “Throughout this deployment, our blue-green warriors proved to the world what the nation’s Navy
NORFOLK, VA. (June 6, 2026) Families wait on the pier as Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) returns to Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS GREGGORY FISHER)
and Marine Corps is capable of achieving while executing a broad array of complex missions from embassy reinforcement and humanitarian assistance to joint operations designed to protect the homeland. I am immensely proud of this team’s performance
and everything they’ve accomplished. Most importantly, as we return home, it is deeply rewarding to watch our Sailors and Marines reunite with family, friends and loved ones who have provided unwavering support during this unprecedented deployment.”
During its 296-day deployment, the 4,500 Sailors and Marines of the IWO ARG - 22nd MEU SOC operated seamlessly with joint forces and naval assets in the region to accomplish Department of War-directed operations and the president’s priorities. In support of the mission, IWO ARG completed approximately 6,200 sorties, accumulated 1,850 flight hours, and transited more than 130,573 combined nautical miles. While in theater, IWO ARG integrated with other U.S. Navy surface assets including USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Lake Erie (CG 70), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), USS Billings (LCS 15) and the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Together, this formidable force worked in tandem to detect, disrupt and dismantle Designated Terrorist Organizations’ ability to reach the U.S. homeland and penetrate its borders. In support of contingency operations, IWO ARG — 22nd MEU SOC partnered with Joint Task Force (JTF) Bravo to provide foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. A whole-of-force See HOMECOMING on Page A2
Return to IKE By Seaman Apprentice Nicole Schweigert USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69)
NORFOLK, Va. — In the Navy, a plankowner is a member of the original crew of a newly commissioned ship. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) was commissioned on October 18, 1977, and 48 years later on May 20, IKE’s plankowners walked her decks once again. These plankowners have many good memories from their time attached to IKE, and touring the warfighting vessel helped them relive those memories while also witnessing the upgrades that took place after they left. “Being on board has all the memories flooding back to me,” said former Lt. Philip Whalen, an IKE plankowner. “It’s mainly about all the amazing people that I got to work with, we just had such a cohesive crew.” While many of the plankowners relived memories and shared their stories, they also experienced shock with all of the changes
made since they left. “On the bridge is where I noticed many changes,” said former Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bob Lenn, an IKE plankowner. “We didn’t have any of the equipment up there now, all we had were mechanical gauges.” Not only has the equipment been updated over the years, but so have the work spaces. “It’s very nostalgic,” said Whalen. “For example, when I was stationed here, all the walls and the floors were green in medical, and now they’re white. It looks so much better now than it did then.” Being a part of the original crew to sail aboard IKE gives the plankowners a sense of pride, and they wish to share that pride to the current crew who have continued the ship’s legacy. “I know that there’s going to be rough times, but one day you’ll look back at everything and you’re going to cherish all the time you spent here,” said Lenn. As IKE makes U.S. Navy plankowners and guests pose for a group photo aboard Nimitz-class aircraft changes to keep up with the modern global carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) May 20, 2026. Eisenhower is pierside security environment, plankowners are a at Naval Station Norfolk conducting routine operations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS living reminder of where the ship started. COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST SEAMAN NICOLE SCHWEIGERT)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard breaks ground for modernization of Dry Dock 3 Page A2
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