The Everett-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is headed to the Indian Ocean to help with tsunami relief efforts.

The carrier has been at port in Hong Kong. It has been in Asia since leaving Everett in June to fill in for the USS Kitty Hawk, which is undergoing renovations.

In addition to the Lincoln and its group of ships, a five-ship fleet headed by the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard was directed to skip a port call in Guam and head for the region.

Also, P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft based in Japan have been deployed to help with search and rescue missions out of Utapao, Thailand.

It's not known right now exactly where the Lincoln will go in the disaster area or what assistance it will provide, said regional Navy spokesman Rick Huling. Those things will be decided while it's en route.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.