President Bush Makes Third Visit to USS Iwo Jima
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050922-02
Release Date: 9/22/2005 10:30:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Mike Jones, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs
NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- President George W. Bush made a third visit here Sept. 20 as the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) made preparations to get underway to avoid Hurricane Rita racing across the Gulf of Mexico.
After Marine One landed at the forward end of the ship’s flight deck, Bush was escorted into the ship’s wardroom where he received a brief of ongoing relief efforts in the area, as well as up-to-the-minute tracking of Hurricane Rita and its projected path. Following the brief, the President returned to the flight deck and departed aboard Marine One.
“That was a rewarding experience,” said Airman Shirlnethia Hawkins, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., who served as one of the ceremonial Rainbow Sideboys during the brief visit. “It’s been tough out on the flight deck here, but we all know the job we’ve done is making a difference.”
Iwo Jima departed Norfolk Aug. 31 to join relief and recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico following devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
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