Amphib USS Fort Lauderdale, LCS USS Billings Headed to Venezuela

Two U.S. warships and Air Force cargo aircraft are headed to Venezuela to support a U.S. State Department relief mission following two earthquakes on Wednesday. U.S. Southern Command is dispatching USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) and the Littoral Combat Ship USS Billings (LCS-15) in addition to Air Force C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft, the command said in a statement late Thursday. “These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance,” reads the statement. “SOUTHCOM will continue