The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) will return to its homeport, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, after supporting hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 29.

The ship departed Norfolk Aug. 31, to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and were redirected to be in a position to support efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Earlier this week, the Department of Defense announced that as part of the broader planning effort to transition from hurricane response to hurricane recovery, FEMA and DoD have assessed the need for continuing the use of certain support assets currently assigned to the territories. Together they determined, in consultation with the Governor of Puerto Rico, that some Defense Department assets are no longer needed. Oak Hill was identified as an asset that was no longer needed.

Oak Hill provided immediate response capabilities from the sea to rapidly get route clearance equipment ashore to assist in opening roads to move life sustaining commodities to people across the territory. Over time more federal assets and local responders have provided the capability to perform and maintain route clearance during the recovery phase.

Media interested in covering their arrival Sunday, Oct. 29, should contact Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs at 757-836-3330 or 757-621-4145 no later than 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27, to arrange for an escort.

Media should be prepared to meet at the Joint Expeditionary Base-Little Creek pass and ID office at Gate 3 no later than 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 29.