The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island is scheduled to leave San Diego today for its maiden deployment.
The Makin will be joined on deployment by the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor,the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans and personnel from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Navy officials said.
The Navy did not announce where the ships are headed. However, ships from San Diego typically head to the Western Pacific and Middle East for six or seven months.
The Makin Island is the first Navy ship to be equipped with gas turbines and an electric drive system, replacing the older technology of steam boilers -- making the ship function more like a hybrid car, traveling longer distances with less fuel.
The ship, named after the World War II battle site, can also produce 200,000 gallons of fresh water every day.
