NORFOLK, Va. -The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) commanding officer, Cmdr. Adan Cruz speaks to media prior to departing Naval Station Norfolk in advance of Hurricane Irene. Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, commander of U.S. Second Fleet, ordered Sortie Condition Alpha so the ships could avoid storm damage. Irene's current track indicates it will pass off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts overnight Saturday as a category II hurricane. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst/ReNavy Sorties Dozens Of Ships Ahead Of Irene -- Navy Times
Hurricane forecast to hit southern coast of North Carolina.
With powerful Hurricane Irene still on a weekend collision course with Hampton Roads, Va., the Navy sortied 27 ships and subs out of the huge Norfolk naval complex Thursday and, far to the north, took the rare step of sending four subs to sea from berths in Groton, Conn.
In addition, more than 200 aircraft had either sortied or were preparing to do so, Naval Air Force Atlantic announced Thursday evening.
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More News On The U.S. Navy Getting Out Of The Way Of Hurricane Irene
U.S. Navy orders Second Fleet to sea before hurricane -- USA Today
Hurricane Irene sends US Navy fleet to sea; ships evacuate ahead of storm -- Examiner
Navy orders warships in Va. out of Irene's path -- Wall Street Journal/AP
Navy aircraft preparing to leave Va. for safer ground due to Hurricane Irene -- The Republic
Hurricane Irene: U.S. Second Fleet Heads to Sea Before Storm -- Gather News
Ships flee Norfolk as Hurricane Irene nears -- Navy Times
Photos: Navy ships prepare for Irene -- WAVY