NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington made its maiden departure from Norfolk to join the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
About 1,200 Sailors and Marines boarded the Arlington on Thursday as part of the U.S. Armed Forces rotation to support maritime security operations in international waters. San Antonio-class ships are designed for both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps as a means for transporting heavy equipment and delivering Marines ashore. Commanding Officer Capt. Sean Bailey praised the deployment as a culmination of the hard work done to prepare Sailors and Marines for their mission.