180912-N-QI093-0042 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 12,

180912-N-QI093-0042
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 12, 2017) In preparation of the arrival of Hurricane Florence, an F/A-18E Super Hornets assigned to the "Pukin Dogs" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, evacuates Naval Air Station Oceana to ensure personnel safety and prevent damage to Navy assets as a proactive measure. More than 100 Hampton Roads based aircraft assigned to Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic have departed the area as a result of the incoming storm. The aircraft are being diverted to bases in six other states not threatened by the hurricane. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command ordered all U.S. Navy ships in the Hampton Roads area to sortie on Sept. 10, ahead of Hurricane Florence. There are nearly 30 ships preparing to get underway from Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek as Hurricane Florence is forecasted to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast. Ships will be directed to areas of the Atlantic where they will be best postured for storm avoidance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ruben Reed)