Ike deploys after two months at home

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The USS Eisenhower is back at sea after spending two months at home for maintenance.

Nearly 4,500  sailors left Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Station Mayport , Fla. Thursday to support the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleets. 

Photos: USS Eisenhower deploys

The Eisenhower returned three months early in December from a 6-month deployment for maintenance to its flight deck. Crews were aware they would be deploying again this month, relieving the USS John C. Stennis. 

Just two weeks ago, the Navy canceled the deployment of the USS Truman after budget cuts forced the president to cancel his strategy of maintaining two carriers in the Gulf.

"If we didn't go to sea and the Truman went, our readiness would drop off very, very fast because we're in a different part of the cycle," Rear Adm. Michael Manazir said. "You'd have to reinvent the readiness advancement for us in order to redeploy us."