NORFOLK -- The USS Iwo Jima returned home Thursday morning after four months away - just in time forThanksgiving.
The ship'sdeployment was primarily a humanitarian mission in central and south America and the Caribbean, where they provided medical and dental care to those in need.
The crewleft in July as part of an annual mission called 'Continuing Promise.' The idea is to show America's neighbors in this hemisphere that our country cares about them.
Working with host nations, the crew of the Iwo Jima provided more than 161,000 medical services, including 321 surgeries onboard the ship.
When Hurricane Tomas hit Haiti, the Iwo Jima provided relief supplies to the island.
Marines from the Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, which returned to Norfolk Wednesday, delivered those supplies.
'It's really nice to be home, mom, nieces, nephews, it's really nice,' saidLCPL Barry Ferebee.
USS Iwo Jima was the lead response ship following Hurricane Katrina.
