The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) hosted 44 members of the Cobb County, Georgia Honorary Commanders Association (HCA) for lunch and a ship tour April 27.

The tour gave members of the HCA a close-up look at the Navy's mission as well as the people and technical capabilities that ensure the mission is met.

The HCA works with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce to pair community and business leaders with military leaders in an effort to familiarize them with local military activities and economic impacts.

"We're a multi-mission ship able to conduct a broad set of assignments ranging from combat operations to Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief efforts," said Capt. James Midkiff, commanding officer of Iwo Jima while meeting with the HCA members. "Our primary mission is power projection, getting about 2,000 Marines and their equipment to the beach. But we're also called on to conduct humanitarian missions due to our unique capabilities and skill sets as an amphibious assault ship."

HCA members toured the ship's flight deck, well deck and commemorative Suribachi cafe, meeting and chatting with Sailors along the way.

"For many members of the HCA, this was their first time onboard a Navy ship," said Cmdr. Patrick Callan, assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Atlanta. "This was an amazing opportunity to see the largest ship stationed in the southeastern United States, see how the Sailors operate on a daily basis and gain an experience that we will never forget."

Iwo Jima is currently conducting a scheduled continued maintenance availability at her homeport of Mayport.

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