4,000 sailors and Marines to deploy next week

SAN DIEGO - Around 4,000 sailors and Marines will deploy next week to the western Pacific Ocean and Middle Eastern waters, the Navy announced today.

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, made up of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock, will depart Naval Station San Diego on Tuesday.

About 2,200 Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be on the ships for the seven-month deployment.

''Our Navy-Marine Corps team is deploying with a multi-mission capable force ready to perform and excel at any tas...