Home after the storm
August 31st, 2011 | 2nd Fleet Carriers Enterprise Hurricane Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard Norfolk Naval Station Photos Ships | Posted by Bill McMichael
The 27 ships that sortied out of Hampton Roads in advance of Hurricane Irene’s arrival last weekend began returning to Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Tuesday and are continuing to come back throughout the week.
The destroyer Bainbridge returns to Naval Station Norfolk after getting underway ahead of Hurricane Irene Aug. 25. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst
Also returning to their berths are some of the 28 ships in various stages of maintenance that were sent to safe havens to ride out the Category 1 hurricane, which whipped the region with high winds and generated what the National Weather Service estimates was a 4 1/2-foot storm surge at Naval Station Norfolk.
The aircraft carrier Enterprise returns to Naval Station Norfolk after taking shelter at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during Hurricane Irene. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst
The sortie was ordered by 2nd Fleet commander Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway as a safety precaution for the Hampton Roads fleet concentration area.
Waiting for Irene
August 26th, 2011 | Coast Guard Disaster response Hurricane Navy | Posted by Bill McMichael
With the outer bands of Hurricane Irene beginning to lash the southeastern coast of North Carolina, Coast Guard fliers and search-and-rescue personnel flew out of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., this morning, and we’re in hurry-up-and-wait mode at the North Carolina Air National Guard Base, adjacent to Charlotte International Airport. Another C-130 crew is staged in Raleigh.
The crews and SAR personnel moved to get their aircraft out of harm’s way. But as the storm passes to the northeast, they’ll be the first to fly over the damaged areas — anywhere from South Carolina to Martha’s Vineyard, officials say. One or both C-130s will be tasked for either search-and-rescue ops — they’ll try to spot stranded mariners for follow-on H-60 rescue efforts.
Despite the conditions, the C-130 crew here in Charlotte is on alert for immediate deployment. So for now, down time for hotel check-in, chow and crew rest. Calm before the storm.