U.S. 2nd Fleet departs for open sea ahead of Hurricane Irene

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From U.S.Northern command www.northcom.mil

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) departs Naval Station Norfolk ahead of Hurricane Irene. Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet, ordered all ships in the Hampton Roads area to set Sortie Condition Alpha. Ships in the area are departing early Thursday morning, Aug. 25. Irene’s current track indicates it will pass off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts late Saturday as a Category 3 hurricane.

(U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Parde)