BREMERTON, Wash. -- The USS John C. Stennis is leaving its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton for a mission in the Gulf region.

The Nimitz-class carrier and approximately 3200 sailors are scheduled to leave Tuesday, sailing first to San Diego where it will pick up its air wing.

The Stennis and Fort Lewis' 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division were part of President George W. Bush's order for more troops in the Middle East.

The 4th Brigade is scheduled to leave in April, a month earlier than planned.