Author: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform August 21, 2025
The interruption of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Group’s mission due to Hurricane Erin has raised an operational mystery: even though the distance between their base in Norfolk and the Marines’ boarding point in North Carolina is just 203 nautical miles — a journey of less than 12 hours — the ships spent nearly five full days at sea.
What did they do during those 100 hours? This question remains unanswered as the vessels return to port.
The Iwo Jima Rapid Response Amphibious Group, led by the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), returned to the naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday, August 19, to avoid the powerful Hurricane Erin.
The information, confirmed by the prestigious USNI News – part of the influential U.S. Naval Institute, a professional organization of analysts and ex-sailors – details how the natural phenomenon abruptly interrupted a high-profile deployment.
USNI News reporter Heather Mongilio, known for her thorough naval coverage, cited U.S. Navy officials who provided consistent technical and operational details under anonymity.
Her report was independently verified by boat photographer John Morgan, a Virginia Beach resident. Morgan documented the Iwo Jima’s return at 6:50 a.m. on August 19, posting a picture of the ship on social media at dawn, having also captured its departure on August 14 at 3:32 p.m.
According to the USNI report, the fleet was headed towards the North Carolina coast to board Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune.
The distance between the two bases is about 203 nautical miles, which is typically a journey that a ship of this type completes in under 12 hours at its cruising speed of 18 knots.
This data presents an operational enigma: what activities occupied the amphibious group during the almost five full days that elapsed between their departure and mandatory return? The question of their movements during these 100-plus hours raises intriguing inquiries about the military logistics behind a mission that is currently on hold.
