The Iwo Jima (LHD 7) is the seventh Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and the second ship in the U.S. Navy to bear that name. The contract to build her was awarded to Ingalls Shipbuilding on February 28, 1995, and her keel was laid down on December 12, 1997.

March 25, 2000 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Iwo Jima was christened during a ceremony at Pascagoula, Miss. Mrs. Zandra Krulak, the wife of General Charles C. Krulak (Retired), 31st Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, served as sponsor of the ship. Capt. John T. Nawrocki is the prospective commanding officer.

June 30, 2001 USS Iwo Jima was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

January 6, 2002 The Iwo Jima entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation (NORSHIPCO) shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a three-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

May 22, LHD 7 moored at Pier 88 in New York City for a Fleet Week 2002. More than 6000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel aboard 22 ships sailed into New York City for the 15th annual Fleet Week. The Iwo Jima recently completed TSTA I.

On June 14, the amphibious assault ship completed Tailored Ship's Training availabilty (TSTA) II and on June 28, TSTA III and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP).

After a routine maintenance at Norfolk Naval Station, USS Iwo Jima underway in August for a PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training (PMINT).

In October, the Iwo Jima ARG participated in Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX) that was immediately followed by Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise/Special Operations Capability Exercise (SACEX/SOCEX) in November.

December 6, Capt. John W. Snedeker, Jr., relieved Capt. John T. Nawrocki as commanding officer of the Iwo Jima.

March 4, 2003 USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, departed from their East Coast home ports along with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

April 30, LHD 7 pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a four-day port call.

During the deployment, all three ships in the ARG deployed Marines in Iraq. The ARG's support of operations in Iraq was cut short in August, when they were ordered from the gulf to Monrovia, Liberia, to support peacekeeping efforts. Once there, the 26th MEU provided a stabilizing presence, which allowed multinational forces from other western African countries to come in and handle the problem so humanitarian operations could be conducted. Elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit began to land in Monrovia on August 14. This was a Quick Reaction Force, comprised of Marines from the 1st Battalion, 8th marines. These are the first of some 200 Marines that are to operate in Liberia.

October 24, USS Iwo Jima returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-and-a-half month deployment is support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in support of humanitarian crisis in Liberia.

January 12, 2004 The amphibious assault ship moored at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for ammunition offload.

May 26, LHD 7 arrived in New York City, N.Y., to participate in 17th annual Fleet Week celebration.

Jun 26, The Iwo Jima is currently underway conducting flight deck developmental testing in the Atlantic Ocean.

August 6, Capt. Richard S. Callas relieved Capt. John W. Snedeker, Jr., as the 3rd CO of Iwo Jima.

December 10, The amphibious ship departed Port Everglades, Fla., after a scheduled port visit.

January 15, 2005 LHD 7 returned to Norfolk after a five-day underway, testing the 2nd Fleet staff's distributed staff concept.

April 23, USS Iwo Jima is currently underway for routine training off the coast of Virginia.

May 19, LHD 7 is currently underway in support of a Capability Exercise with the USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

July 2, The Iwo Jima arrived in Portland, Maine, for a three-day port visit to participate in Independence Day celebrations.

July 15, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., in support of U.S. 2nd Fleet's Joint Task Force Exercise. The week-long exercise, named Operation Brewing Storm, JTFEX 05-2 serves as the deter forward-certifying event for the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG), as sustainment training for the USS Harry S. Truman CSG, and as component commander certification for the United Kingdom Maritime Force (UKMARFOR) staff. More than 15,000 service members from four countries are participating in JTFEX 05-2, from July 14-22.

August 18, LHD 7 departed Naval Station Norfolk for Command Assessment Readiness and Training (CART) evaluations.

August 31, USS Iwo Jima and USS Shreveport (LPD 12) departed Norfolk along with USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and the rescue and salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS 53), both based at Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, Va., to head to areas off the Gulf Coast as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The four ships bring with them six Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) that include amphibious construction equipment, medical personnel and associated supplies to assist with the relief effort.

September 3, After a three-day high-speed transit down the East Coast of the United States and around into the Gulf of Mexico, LHD 7, along with various embarked air and amphibious landing assets, arrived on station in the Gulf of Mexico off Biloxi, Miss., to begin humanitarian assistance operations to the devastated region. Iwo Jima pulled to New Orleans on 5th to serve as the command and control center for Joint Task Force Katrina.

September 20, Joint Task Force Katrina ships including: USS Tortuga, USNS Comfort, USS Iwo Jima, USS Shreveport and the USS Grapple will proceed east to avoid incoming Hurricane Rita. The USNS Patuxent will remain in the Gulf of Mexico to support repositioning ships. The Comfort will move from Mississippi today, and the Iwo Jima and Shreveport from Louisiana Sept. 21. The hurricane near the Florida Keys strengthened to Category 2 today and is forecast to strengthen further as it moves westward into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

September 26, Hurricane Rita disaster relief operations began Sept. 25 on board LHD 7 when helicopters from embarked squadrons left for the coastal regions of Louisiana to perform search and rescue (SAR) operations and flood assessment missions. The amphibious ship has been following Hurricane Rita across the Gulf of Mexico to be prepared to respond quickly after the storm made landfall. Rita went ashore early Sept. 24 as a Category 3 hurricane, and she was among the first responders in relief efforts.

October 2, The Iwo Jima returned to homeport after a five-week underway, conducting relief operations in the wake of two hurricanes that devastated the Gulf Coast.

December 10, USS Iwo Jima is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean for routine operations; Inport Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ., for ammo onload from Dec. 12-1?.

January 15, 2006 LHD 7 is currently underway for pre-deployment training certification in preparation for upcoming deployment later this year.

February 19, Five ships, one submarine and nearly 3,500 Sailors and Marines from the USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) successfully completed their ESG Integrated Training (ESGINT) exercises, Feb. 14, while operating in Onslow Bay, N.C.

April 5, The amphibious assault ship is currently underway for routine training in the VACAPES Op. Area.

April 14, USS Iwo Jima is currently underway for Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise (ESGEX).

June 6, USS Iwo Jima, commanded by Capt. Michael A. Walley, departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

June 20, The amphibious assault ship pulled into Marseille, France, for a six-day port visit.

June 27, LHD 7 arrived in Civitavecchia, Italy, for a liberty port visit to Rome.

July 2, Marine pilot ejected from his AV 8B Harrier, at approximately 6:50 pm (local), and was safely recovered within eight minutes after receiving minimal injuries. The pilot was preparing to land aboard the amphibious ship in the Mediterranean Sea, just north of Crete, Greece.

July 4, USS Iwo Jima Expeditonary Strike Group transited the Suez Canal to relieve USS Peleliu (LHA 5) in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AoO).

July 18, U.S. Sailors and Marines from the LHD 7 Expeditionary Strike Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been directed to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon has requested military assistance to help American citizens who wish to depart Lebanon to leave in a secure and orderly manner.

August 20, USS Iwo Jima and USS Nashville (LPD 13) transited the Suez Canal southbond en route to Arabian Gulf.

September 15, LHD 7 is currently underway in the Arabian Gulf in support of maritime security operations and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

October 2, AV-8B Harriers, as part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Air Combat Element (ACE) presently attached to USS Iwo Jima, completed combat missions Sept. 21 in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom, against Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan. To date, the Harriers have completed approximately 136 sorties to include 17 precision-guided munitions in support of OEF and coalition efforts.

November 8, USS Iwo Jima ESG returned to Mediterranean Sea after transiting Suez Canal; Inport Civitavecchia, Italy, from Nov. 12-16.

November 17, LHD 7 arrived in Toulon, France, for a scheduled port visit.

December 2, The Iwo Jima completed an ammunition transfer with the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) off the coast of Virginia.

December 6, USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment.

May ?, 2007 Capt. Robert P. Irelan relieved Capt. Michael A. Walley as commanding officer of USS Iwo Jima.

June 11, The amphibious assault ship departed for sea trials after spending nearly four months at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair.

September 27, LHD 7 is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean for sea trials. This is the first time that the Iwo Jima is conducting flight deck operations with the V-22 Osprey in more than two years.

February 3, 2008 USS Iwo Jima is currently underway for routine training off the coast of Virginia.

March 9, The Iwo Jima ARG is currently undergoing an operational evaluation with elements of the 26th MEU off the coast of North Carolina; Underway for routine training in mid-April.

April 28, USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., for a Fleet Week.

May 6, LHD 7 ESG is currently participating in an integration exercise off the East Coast, in preparation for the upcoming deployment later this year.

July 21, USS Iwo Jima ESG and BNS Greenhalgh (F 46) participated in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from July 8-18, marking the first time a Brazilian Navy surface unit fully integrated into a U.S. Strike Group. The Iwo Jima and Greenhalgh will now participate in the USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) upcoming Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4, from July 21-31.

August 26, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AoR).

September 21, A group of 50 senior civilian officials and 19 staff members from the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) visited Iwo Jima off the coast of Crete, Greece. The amphibious assault ship recently departed Haifa, Israel, after a scheduled port visit.

September 23, USS Iwo Jima ESG entered the Red Sea after transiting Suez Canal southbound.

October 18, LHD 7 recently anchored off Kuwait Naval Base to offload elements of the 26th MEU.

December 18, The Iwo Jima recently pulled into Manama, Bahrain, for a routine port call.

January 6, 2009 Capt. Jeffrey C. Amick relieved Capt. Robert P. Irelan as the 6th CO of LHD 7 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship in the Arabian Gulf.

January 28, The amphibious assault ship recently departed Manama after another port visit.

February 14, USS Iwo Jima arrived in Kuwait Naval Base to back-load Marines and equipment, concluding the four-month operations in the Arabian Gulf; Transited the Suez Canal on March 1.

March 4, LHD 7 pulled to Augusta Bay, Sicily, for a scheduled port visit; Moored at Naval Station Rota, Spain, from March 10-1?.

March 27, USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a seven-month deployment.

May 20, The Iwo Jima arrived in New York City to participate in the 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York City 2009.

June 12, LHD 7 returned to homeport following a visit to New York where dozens of crew members came down with the H1N1 virus. There were 49 confirmed cases of "swine flu" onboard his ship, and 16 crew members are still recovering. By date, 220 U.S. Navy Sailors have been confirmed with H1N1 influenza.

July 9, USS Iwo Jima recently arrived in the Gulf of Guinea to support the U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana July 10 and 11.

April 26, 2010 The amphibious assault ship pulled into Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in Fleet Week 2010.

May 24, USS Iwo Jima departed Norfolk Naval Station to participate in annual Fleet Week New York, from May 26- June 2.

July 12, USS Iwo Jima departed homeport for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Southern Command Area of Operations, in support of Continuing Promise.

July 17, LHD 7 pulled into Naval Station Mayport for a brief port call to onload humanitarian supplies; Inport Miami, Fla., from July 19-21.

July 24, The amphibious assault ship arrived off the coast of Port-de-Paix, Haiti, for its first CP 2010 mission. The assigned medical and engineering staff embarked aboard Iwo Jima will work with partner nation teams to provide medical, dental, veterinary and engineering assistance to seven different nations to improve mutual understanding of current medical issues and technology.

July 31, Capt. Thomas J. Chassee relieved Capt. Jeffrey C. Amick as commanding officer of the Iwo Jima.

August 4, USS Iwo Jima moored at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for refueling and supplies.

August 8, LHD 7 arrived off the coast of Marine Infantry Training Base in Covenas, Columbia, as part of the Continuing Promise mission.

August 20, The Iwo Jima arrived in Limon, Costa Rica, for a 10-day port call.

September 4, The amphibious assault ship anchored in the Amatique Bay for a nine-day goodwill port visit to Guatemala.

September 15, USS Iwo Jima anchored off the coast of Bluefields, Nicaragua, for its fifth mission in support of CP 2010.

September 27, LHD 7 anchored in Laguna de Chiriqui for a scheduled port visit to Panama.

October 17, The Iwo Jima anchored off the coast of New Amsterdam, Guyana, for its seventh mission in support of Continuing Promise.

October 28, The amphibious assault ship anchored off the coast of Paramaribo, Suriname, for its last humanitarian mission.

November 1, U.S. Southern Command directed the USS Iwo Jima to steam toward Haiti in preparation for the forecasted arrival of tropical storm Tomas later this week.

November 11, LHD 7 pulled into Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for an environmental wash-down on the ship's equipment.

November 18, USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a four-month deployment.

March 23, 2011 The amphibious assault ship recently returned to homeport after conducting routine operations off the East Coast.

April 13, USS Iwo Jima is currently underway in preparation for Unit Level Training Assessment Sustainment.

April 25, The Iwo Jima pulled into Port Everglades to participate in the Fleet Week 2011.

May 25, LHD 7 moored at Manhattan's Pier 88 in New York City, N.Y., for a week-long port visit to participate in 24th annual Fleet Week celebration.

August 25, USS Iwo Jima entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for safe haven from Hurricane Irene.

October 5, The Iwo Jima is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine training in preparation for the upcoming deployment early next year.

October 28, USS Iwo Jima ARG is currently underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 24th MEU, from Oct. 24 through Nov. 3.

November 30, The Amphibious Ready Group recently departed Norfolk for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

January 27, 2012 USS Iwo Jima ARG departed homeport for Certification Exercise (CERTEX) that was embedded into a largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise, in the past ten years, Bold Alligator 2012 with both the Navy and Marine Corps.

February 28, Capt. Grady T. Banister, III relieved Capt. Thomas J. Chassee as CO of the LHD 7 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Norfolk.

March 27, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

April 9, The Iwo Jima ARG is currently off Cap Draa, Morocco, supporting bilateral training exercise African Lion 2012, between the United States and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, April 8-16.

April 11, An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, crashed in a Royal Moroccan military training area southwest of Agadir, while participating in the exercise African Lion. Cpl. Derek A. Kerns and Cpl. Robby A. Reyes were killed. The two other U.S. Marine Corps personnel were severely injured.

April 24, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, after a week-long port call.

May 5, USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group relieved of duty USS Makin Island (LHD 8) ARG in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR.

May 8, LHD 7 pulled into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a scheduled port call before participating in a large annual multi-national exercise Eager Lion 2012.

May 19, Capt. Arturo M. Garcia relieved Capt. Mark H. Scovill as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Iwo Jima in the Red Sea.

June 8, USS Iwo Jima ARG ships embarked approximately 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, from May 28- June 5.

July 11, The Iwo Jima moored at Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Hidd, Bahrain, for a week-long port call.

October 7, LHD 7 recently visited again Aqaba naval base for agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment, after embarking contigent of Marines in Djibouti that spent around a month in the country conducting various trainings and exercises with the French military.

November 5, USS Iwo Jima ARG returned to Mediterranean Sea after transiting the Suez Canal; Moored at Naval Station Rota, Spain, from Nov. 11-14.

November 18, USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group ships were ordered recently to return to the eastern Mediterranean, as a security precaution as the Gaza Strip conflict between Israel and Hamas continued to escalate, after being previously scheduled to end an eight-month deployment on Nov. 28; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Dec. 6.

December 17, LHD 7 moored at Port of Morehead City Port, N.C., to offload Marines and equipment from the 24th MEU.

December 20, USS Iwo Jima returned to Norfolk after a nearly nine-month deployment.

January 23, 2013 USS Iwo Jima entered the Titan Dry Dock at the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair for a nine-month Drydocking Phased Maintenance Availability (DPMA).

August ?, Capt. James E. McGovern relieved Capt. Grady T. Banister, III as CO of the Iwo Jima.

September ?, USS Iwo Jima undocked and moored at BAE Systems shipyard's Pier 1; Underway for sea trials in early November.

January 28, 2014 The Iwo Jima recently moored at Leonardo Pier on Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey, for ammo onload; Returned home on Feb. 6 after a two-week underway.

February 25, The amphibious assault ship departed Naval Station Norfolk for well deck certification. Underway for flight deck certification in the Virginia Capes Op. Area from March 4-12; Underway for routine training from April 6-16; Underway again in early June; Underway for local operations from June 9-12.

June 17, USS Iwo Jima recently departed homeport for flight deck qualifications with the 20th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Returned to Norfolk on June 2?; Underway for local operations on July 24; Underway again from July 30-31.

August 4, LHD 7 departed Norfolk for a two-week Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 24th MEU.

August 17, USS Iwo Jima arrived in its new homeport of Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

September 3, The Iwo Jima ARG departed Mayport for a 22-day underway to participate in ARG/MEU Exercise (MEUEX).

October 4, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and joint multinational amphibious assault exercise Bold Alligator 2014 from Oct. 29 through Nov. 10.

December 9, Capt. Dana R. Gordon relieved Capt. James E. McGovern as the 10th CO of Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Naval Station Mayport's Wharf F.

December 11, USS Iwo Jima departed Mayport for a scheduled Middle East deployment; Anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., for onload from Dec. 12-14.

December 26, The amphibious assault ship moored at Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota for a brief port call; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Dec. 27.

December 30, USS Iwo Jima moored at Quay 13b in Port of Civitavecchia, Italy, for a four-day liberty visit to Rome; Transited the Strait of Messina on Jan. 5.

January 10, 2015 USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) transited the Suez Canal southbound.

January 15, LHD 7 commenced offload of Marines and equipment at Arta Beach, Djibouti, for a sustainment training exercises with the French military.

January 20, USS Iwo Jima, along with USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound for a possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from the Yemen capital of Sanaa after the Shia Houthi rebel group seized the presidential palace on Tuesday.

January 31, The Iwo Jima transited Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound; Entered the Red Sea again on Feb. 8 or earlier; Returned to Gulf of Aden on Feb. 11.

March 3, Capt. Michael M. McMillan, Jr., relieved Capt. Timothy L. Schorr as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 8 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima while underway in the Gulf of Aden.

March 25, USS Iwo Jima moored at General Cargo Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, for a week-long upkeep.

June 11, USS Iwo Jima moored at Bulk Berth in Port of Eilat, Israel, for a three-day liberty visit.

June 16, The Iwo Jima recently moored at Royal Jordanian Naval Base, south off Aqaba, to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on June 21.

June 28, USS Iwo Jima moored at Cruise Quay 2 in Port of Valencia, Spain, for a six-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on July 5.

July 17, The Iwo Jima embarked almost 300 friends and family members for a Tiger Cruise, while anchored in Onslow Bay; Brief stop off Norfolk on July 18.

July 20, USS Iwo Jima returned to Naval Station Mayport after more than a seven-month deployment.

August 31, LHD 7 commenced a 10-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA) while moored at Foxtrot Wharf.

June 7, 2016 Capt. James R. Midkiff relieved Capt. Dana R. Gordon as CO of the Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

June 23, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport for a four-day underway to conduct sea trials in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Underway for flight deck certification on July 28.

August 8, The Iwo Jima moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk for a 23-day port call in support of synthetic, scenario-based simulation exercise Bold Alligator 2016; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop on Aug. 31; Returned home on Sept. 3.

September 12, USS Iwo Jima departed Mayport for a four-day underway to conduct routine training; Emergency sortied due to approaching Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 5; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk to onload supplies and more than 500 Marines, from the 24th MEU, from Oct. 7-8.

October 10, The Iwo Jima embarked 150 Marines and four MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365, during a transfer with the USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Atlantic Ocean, while en route to Haiti for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations.

October 13, USS Iwo Jima recently arrived off the northern coast of Haiti to replace the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in support of Joint Task Force Matthew; Departed Caribbean Sea on Oct. 21; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk for offload from Oct. 24-26; Returned to Mayport on Oct. 28; Underway again on Nov. 7.

November 10, USS Iwo Jima moored at Manhattan's Pier 88S in New York City, N.Y., for a four-day port visit to participate in Veterans Week NYC 2016; Returned home on Nov. 17.

December 13, The amphibious assault ship moored at Wharf F on Naval Station Mayport after an eight-day underway for routine training.

February 12, 2017 LHD 7 departed homeport for a week-long underway to conduct deck landing qualifications off the coast of North Carolina and burials at sea, following a two-month Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV); Underway for DLQs and fueling-at-sea (FAS) certification from March 5-12; Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on March 19; Underway for routine training from March 20-21; Underway for flight deck counter-measure washdown from April 4-5.

May 13, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport for ammo onload following a five-week CMAV; Moored at Berth A2/A4, Pier 3 on Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., from May 15-22; Moored at Wharf C2 in Naval Station Mayport on May 25; Underway again on June 11.

June 11, The Iwo Jima conducted deck landing qualifications with the U.S. Air Force's CV-22 Ospreys, assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron (SOS).

June 13, USS Iwo Jima moored at Cruise Port in Freeport, Bahamas, for a four-day liberty visit.

June 18, The Iwo Jima moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport; Underway for Mid-Cycle Inspection (MCI) assessment with the INSURV from June 20-21; Underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 26th MEU, on July 6.

July 8, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 6, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk for a one-day port call to onload Marines and equipment; Anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., for a brief stop on July 11; Anchored in Onslow Bay again for offload on July 17; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop on July 19.

July 21, The Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport; Commenced a Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV) on July 2?; Underway again on Sept. 5.

September 7, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 5, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk for a one-day port call to onload 300 Marines and supplies for possible Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

September 8, The Iwo Jima embarked three CH-53E Super Stallions from the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461; Conducted relief efforts off the cosat of Key West, Florida, from Sept. 12-17.

September 19, Capt. Joseph R. O'Brien relieved Capt. James R. Midkiff as CO of the LHD 7 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship, while underway off the coast of Mayport.

September 19, The amphibious assault ship moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport.

September 20, Capt. Jack L. Killman relieved Capt. Kirk A. Weatherly as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 4 during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

October 28, USS Iwo Jima departed homeport for a Combined Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX); Moored at Berth 6, Pier 14 in Naval Station Norfolk for onload from Oct. 30- Nov. 3; Underway in the Jacksonville Op. Area from Nov. 23- Dec. 5; Moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Dec. 17.

February 7, 2018 USS Iwo Jima departed Mayport for a scheduled deployment.

February 9, The Iwo Jima arrived off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va., to embark the Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) and to participate in MISSILEX; Anchored off Camp Lejeune, N.C., for onload from Feb. 10-11; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on Feb. 28.

March 6, USS Iwo Jima arrived off the coast of Israel in support of the biennial Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) exercise Juniper Cobra 18; Moored at Central Terminal in Haifa, Israel, from March 14-18.

March 19, USS Iwo Jima moored at East Quay in Port of Limassol, Cyprus, for a three-day visit; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on March 27; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on April 1.

April 2, The Iwo Jima, along with the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), commenced a two-week amphibious training exercise Alligator Dagger 18-1, off the coast of Arta Beach, Djibouti.

April 3, An AV-8B Harrier, assigned to the "Tigers" of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, crashed around 4.10 p.m. local time during take-off from Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport. The pilot ejected safely and was transported to expeditionary medical facility in Camp Lemonnier.

April 3, An CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) Detachment, suffered a Class "A" mishap during a landing near Arta Beach, at 6.40 p.m. local time. The aircrew were not injured and the helicopter has remained at the landing site pending additional assessment.

April 5, The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command has cancelled the remainder of exercise Alligator Dagger in response to two separate aviation incidents in Djibouti.

April 11, USS Iwo Jima recently transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), while underway in the Red Sea, on April 13; Transited the Strait of Tiran northbound, just after midnight, on April 15.

April 15, The Iwo Jima moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for a two-day port call to conduct offload in support of the annual multinational exercise Eager Lion 2018; Transited the Strait of Tiran southbound on April 17.

April 21, LHD 7 conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn, while underway in the northern Red Sea; Transited the Strait of Tiran northbound on April 24; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base for backload and a liberty port visit from April 25-29; Transited the Strait of Tiran southbound on April 29.

From April 30- May 24, the Iwo Jima conducted operations in the northern Red Sea; Transited the Strait of Tiran northbound, just after midnight, on May 25; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base from May 25-27; Transited the Strait of Tiran southbound on May 27; Transited northbound on May 30; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base again from May 31- June 2; Departed Gulf of Aqaba on June 2.

June 3, USS Iwo Jima conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6), while underway in the northern Red Sea; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound, escorted by USS Laboon (DDG 58), on June 7; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on June 13.

June 22, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 6, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a two-day port call to conduct emergent repairs; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on June 2?.

July 1, The Iwo Jima transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound, escorted by USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51); Transited the Strait of Tiran northbound, just before midnight, on July 4; Moored at Aqaba Naval Base, to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns, from July 5-13; Transited the Strait of Tiran southbound on Friday afternoon; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on July 15; Transited the Strait of Sicily westbound, just after midnight, on July 19.

July 21, USS Iwo Jima moored at East Quay in Port of Malaga, Spain, for a three-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on July 24.

From August 4-5, the amphibious assault ship was anchored off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., for offload; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop to embark 269 friends and family members for a Tiger Cruise on Aug. 7.

August 9, USS Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport following a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

September 27, The Iwo Jima departed homeport to participate in NATO exercise Trident Juncture 2018, with the 24th MEU; Moored at Berth 3, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk for onload from Sept. 29- Oct. 2.

From October 3-5, the Iwo Jima ARG participated in Type Commanders Amphibious Training (TCAT) with the 2nd AABN, 2nd Marine Division, in Onslow Bay; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189), while underway approximately 100 n.m. northeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C.

October 17, USS Iwo Jima moored at Skarfabakki Quay, New Harbour in Reykjavik, Iceland, for the in-port phase of exercise Trident Juncture; Underway for at-sea phase on Oct. 22; Arrived off the coast of Norway on Oct. 25.

October 29, The Iwo Jima transited the Trondheimsleia Strait, Norway, for amphibious landing at Alvund; Entered the Trondheimsleia Strait again on Oct. 31.

November 3, USS Iwo Jima moored at Quay 68, Cruise Jetty in Port of Trondheim, Norway, for a two-day visit; Participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX), approximately 70 n.m. west of Trondheim, on Nov. 7; Moored at Cruise Jetty again for backload from Nov. 8-11.

November 13, USS Iwo Jima moored at Sondre Akershus Quay in Port of Oslo, Norway, for a three-day liberty visit; Transited the Dover Strait southbound on Nov. 18.

From November 25-26, the Iwo Jima conducted ammo offload with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), while transiting the Atlantic Ocean westbound.

November 30, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 5, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk, on Friday evening, for a two-day port call to conduct offload; Moored at Foxtrot Wharf in Naval Station Mayport on Dec. 4.

March 1, 2019 Capt. Darrell S. Canady relieved Capt. Joseph R. O'Brien as the 13th CO of Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony at the helicopter hangar on Naval Station Mayport.

November 15, Eleven sailors suffered minor injuries during a fire that broke out in a cargo hold aboard the USS Iwo Jima, just before midnight on Thursday, while the ship was undergoing Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA) at Foxtrot Wharf.

December 18, USS Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport after a three-day underway for sea trials, following a year-long Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA); Underway again from Feb. 3-5.

February 8, 2020 The Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf after a two-day underway in the Jacksonville Op. Area; Underway again on Feb. 12.

February 14, LHD 7 moored at Berth 5, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk for a five-day port call to conduct well deck certification; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13), while underway for flight deck certification off the coast of Virginia, on Feb. 22; Returned home on Feb. 28; Underway again on March 11.

March 14, USS Iwo Jima anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage A, 1 mile off the coast of Cape Henry, Va., for a brief stop; Conducted operations off the coast of Virginia from March 15-16; Participated in amphibious assault warfare certification exercise with the 2nd AABN, 2nd Marine Division, off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., on March 18; Returned home on March 2?; Underway again on March 31.

April 2, The Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport for a brief stop; Returned home on April 4; Underway again from April 14-15 and April 17-21.

June 8, Capt. David Loo relieved Capt. Darrell S. Canady as CO of the Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

July 17, USS Iwo Jima departed Naval Station Mayport for routine training; Conducted DLQs with two U.S. Army's HH-60M MEDEVAC Blackhawks, assigned to the 2-501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, on July 18.

July 21, The Iwo Jima moored at Berth 4, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk for a two-day port call; Moored at Berth 4, Pier 10 again from July 26- Aug. 12.

August 17, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth A2/A4, Pier 3 on Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for a four-day ammo onload; Returned home on Aug. 24; Underway again from Aug. 25-26 and Oct. 2.

October 4, The Iwo Jima moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, off the coast of Camp Lejeune, on Oct. 9; Moored at Berth 3, Pier 12 on Oct. 20; Underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 24th MEU, on Oct. 22.

November 6, USS Iwo Jima moored at Foxtrot Wharf on Naval Station Mayport; Underway for ARG/MEUEX, in the Cherry Point, Jacksonville and Charleston Op. Areas, on Nov. 30; Brief stop off the coast of Virginia Beach on Dec. 2 and 15th; Returned home on Dec. 17.

February 16, 2021 USS Iwo Jima departed Mayport for a scheduled deployment.

February 18, The Iwo Jima moored at Berth 3, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk for a three-day port call before participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in the Cherry Point, Charleston and Jacksonville Op. Areas; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 14 from March 19-24.

April 3, LHD 7 conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), while underway in the eastern Atlantic Ocean; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply, while underway in the Celtic Sea, on April 11 and 20th; Moored at Berth 3, Pier 1 on Naval Station Rota, Spain, from April 23-27; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply on April 30; Transited the North Minch Strait northbound on May ?.

May 4, USS Iwo Jima recently arrived in the Outer Moray Firth, off the northeast coast of Scotland; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply, while underway southeast of Aberdeen, on May 9.

May 17, USS Iwo Jima participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Ross (DDG 71), HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) CSG and HMS Albion (L14) LRG, while underway in the northern North Sea, following the conclusion of exercises Ragnar Viking and Strike Warrior 21.

May 20, The Iwo Jima conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Supply, while underway northwest of Iberian Peninsula; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and NRP Alvares Cabral (F 331) on May 21; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar eastbound on May 22; Transited the Strait of Sicily on early Tuesday.

May 27, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth K14, NATO Fuel Depot in Souda Bay, Greece, for a three-day port visit; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on June 1; Moored at Bulk Berth in Port of Eilat, Israel, from June 7-11; Transited the Strait of Tiran southbound on Friday evening; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), while underway in the northern Red Sea, on June 15.

July 4, The Iwo Jima ARG transited the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait southbound; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean, while underway in the Gulf of Aden, on July 6; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Halsey (DDG 97) and HMS Queen Elizabeth CSG on July 12; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) on July 15.

July 16, LHD 7 moored at Navy Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, for a six-day port call; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on July 26; Transited southbound on Aug. 4; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) on Aug. 7; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Patuxent, while underway in the Gulf of Oman, on Aug. 14; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Pecos on Aug. 20.

August 23, USS Iwo Jima transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound, escorted by USS Shiloh; Transited southbound on Aug. 29; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), while underway in the Gulf of Oman, on Sept. 2 and 11th;  Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Pecos, while underway in the Gulf of Aden, on Sept. 14.

September 16, The Iwo Jima ARG transited the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait northbound; Participated in a PASSEX with the ENS Taba (F916) on Sept. 18; Transited the Suez Canal on Sept. 20; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), while underway in the Alboran Sea, on Sept. 25; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound on Sept. 26.

October 1, The Iwo Jima conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13); Conducted ammo offload from Oct. 2-3; Conducted offload off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Oct. 5-7; Brief stop off the coast of Virginia Beach on Oct. 8.

October 11, USS Iwo Jima moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport following an eight-month deployment in the U.S. 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

October 14, Capt. Judd A. Krier relieved Capt. David Loo as the 15th CO of Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

November 24, USS Iwo Jima moored at Wharf C2 on Naval Station Mayport after an eight-day underway in the Jacksonville and Cherry Point Op. Areas; Underway again on Dec. 10.

December 13, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 5, Pier 9 in its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk.

January 20, 2022 General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk was awarded a $199,7 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-22-C-4490) for the USS Iwo Jima's Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by June 2023.

January 21, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 5, Pier 9 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway in the Cherry Point Op. Area; Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 2E in NASSCO shipyard on March 17; Entered the Speede Dry Dock on April 29; Undocked and moored at Berth 2E on Dec. ?.

January 20, 2023 Capt. Stephen M. Froehlich relieved Capt. Judd A. Krier as CO of the Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony on Naval Station Norfolk.

August 10, USS Iwo Jima moved "dead-stick" from NASSCO shipyard to Berth 5, Pier 7 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved to Berth 6, Pier 11 on Nov. 2.

May 17, 2024 Capt. Brian K. Hamel relieved Capt. Stephen M. Froehlich as CO of the Iwo Jima during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

June 28, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 6, Pier 11 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway for sea trials, following an extended 28-month availability.

July 11, The Iwo Jima moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Naval Station Norfolk after a one-day underway for Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) rehearsal; Underway for INSURV assessment from July 17-18; Underway again on July 22; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 11 on Aug. 2; Moved to Berth 1, Pier 10 on Aug. 12; Underway again on Sept. 3.

September 4, The Iwo Jima anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" for a brief stop; Returned home for emergent repairs, after suffered an engineering casualty, on Sept. 5; Underway again from Sept. 10-13, Sept. 16-20 and Sept. 24; Anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "A" from Sept. 24-25; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 10 on Sept. 26.

October 11, USS Iwo Jima moored at Berth 3, Pier 14 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway for Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials (CSSQT), in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway again on Nov. 12; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 11 on Nov. 15; Underway for flight deck certification from Dec. 2-6.