VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Four of the seven Virginia-based U.S. Navy ships that received deployment orders in the last week headed out to sea Sunday as a military buildup continued ahead of a possible war with Iraq.
The amphibious dock landing ships Portland and Ashland set sail from the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, and the amphibious assault ships Kearsarge and Bataan left Norfolk Naval Station.
The ships and three others that left Friday can carry a landing force of about 8,000 Marines.
As the Ashland pulled away from its dock, a couple dozen family members waved from a cold, wind-swept parking lot.
Kerri Rodriguez wiped away tears as she said goodbye to her husband, Petty Officer 2nd Class Edgar Rodriguez. She doesn't know when she and the couple's three children will see him next.
"It's their job. If they've got to go, they've got to go," she said. "I'm just very proud of him that he has the opportunity to serve his country and bring a lot of pride and honor to his family."
