Jack of Harts

The USS Iwo Jima was homeported as part of the Mayport reserve when the Second Great Depression began. She was an old amphibious assault ship the size of a World War II carrier that had long since been placed on the reserve roster, and had not set sail in years. Florida was quick to “recruit” the crew to their cause. Technically, the recruitment had happened long before when they made certain that the entire reserve crew was composed of native Floridians. Florida had put similar thought into securing a Marine fighter unit capable of flying off the Iwo Jima, so when it came time for Florida to cast off the surly bonds of an abusive Federal government, they were more than ready to patrol their own coastlines. Various destroyers and frigates escorted her at all times, and when Florida eventually joined the Confederation of Dixie, the Iwo Jima proved to be a powerful addition to the Confederation Navy.