The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with embarked Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) staff, and the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) departed the coast of Key West, Fla., yesterday after turning over Navy sea-based support to civilian authorities in Florida to Carrier Strike Group 10 (CSG 10).

CSG 10, embarked on the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), is operating with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) off the coast of the Florida keys. The ships continue to bring unique military capabilities to support the civilian authorities in the affected areas.

The three ships have 2,400 Sailors and Marines providing expeditionary logistic support, medium and heavy lift air support, medical support, maritime civil affairs, and maritime security.

While off the coast of Florida, embarked helicopters from USS Abraham Lincoln flew water and supplies to Naval Air Station Key West, Marathon, Port Everglades, Homestead Air Reserve Base and USS Iwo Jima for further distribution ashore. Air crews also provided search and rescue and medical evacuation support.

USS Abraham Lincoln departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Sept. 8, prior to Hurricane Irma making landfall in the Florida Keys and was the first Department of Defense responder on station to provide immediate search and rescue support to civil authorities in the wake of Irma's landfall.

USS Abraham Lincoln with CSG 12 included 2,800 Sailors and 14 MH-60 helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FIVE (HSC-5) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons (HSM) 70/72/74.

USS Abraham Lincoln and USS San Jacinto are scheduled return home on Friday.

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