Amphibious Group Two News

Military Sealift Command Atlantic, the Norfolk, Va.,-based U.S. Navy command responsible for Military Sealift Command ships transporting equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition in the Western Atlantic Ocean, changed command during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk today. Capt. Samuel R. Norton assumed command of MSCLANT from outgoing commander Capt. Michael G. Graham during a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Vista Point Conference Center. Norton last served as commander of amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, which he led on its final deployment prior to decommissioning earlier this year.

The USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), the U.S. Navy's and Marine Corps' newest large-deck amphibious assault ship, left the Pensacola Naval Air Station for her homeport in Norfolk, Va., following commissioning ceremonies here June 30. The new ship, produced in Pascagoula, Miss., by Ingalls Shipbuilding, a Northrop Grumman company, will become the newest member of Amphibious Group Two. "With a crew of about 1,000 sailors keeping order and helping our allies, this will be the best the United States of America has to offer," Gen. Michael J. Williams, USMC, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said of the USS IWO JIMA. "The photograph of the Marines raising the flag at Suribachi has become the icon of the United States Marine Corps.