The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is leaving its home ports in Virginia and Florida on a nine-month deployment.

That is the longest deployment for an aircraft carrier and its escort ships in a decade. Routine deployments typically last six to seven months.

The Navy says the longer deployment is needed to provide maintenance on other ships. The nuclear-powered USS Dwight D. Eisenhower will take the place of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Navy's rotation of aircraft carriers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The Eisenhower, guided missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Jason Dunham left Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday. They're being joined by the Mayport, Fla.-based guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut.