Posted: 08/01/2011
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), left, and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) depart 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 the area 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 2nd Class Rafael Martie)