According to Naval Surface Forces public affairs, the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group will deploy to the Western Pacific in support of maritime security operations.
Loved ones gathered at Naval Base San Diego to give a tearful goodbye to sailors departing on the Boxer.
"It's sad," Lisa Kropp, told a local news station. "I'm going to miss him. Hopefully they have a safe return and it will be ok."
The Boxer returned to San Diego in May following a two-month humanitarian mission to Latin America.
The strike group comprises the Boxer, the amphibious assault ship New Orleans, dock landing ship Comstock, destroyer Chung-Hoon, cruiser Lake Champlain and the Coast Guard cutter Boutwell.