The America Expeditionary Strike Group – consisting of the USS America (LHA-6), USS New Orleans (LPD-18) and USS Germantown (LSD-42) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked – are in the Philippine Sea conducting routine operations, with America and New Orleans coming off an intensive 12-day exercise and engagement period with both CSG 21 and JMSDF ships in the area.

The Norfolk-based USS Arlington is heading to Haiti Tuesday afternoon after a powerful 7.2 earthquake struck the country last week, taking the lives of nearly 1,400 people and injuring 6,000 people.

The now-under-construction Bougainville will incorporate an ability to launch two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) or Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vehicles.