Ships preparing for Irma relief

Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., has no power, but there were no major damage or injuries among the 36 personnel who remained on base as Hurricane Irma passed. Commanding officer Capt. Bobby Baker and 35 staff had sheltered in a Category 5 rated hotel and remained in contact with the Navy throughout the storm, which made landfall about 18 miles from the base Sunday morning, according to the Navy. The NASKW staff has begun to assess the condition of the base. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with 27 helicopters, is staged off-shore to assist with that damage assessment and positioned itself for disaster relief, according to U.S Northern Command, which is coordinating the military’s response with civilian authorities. USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LHD-21), USS Farragut (DDG-99), and USS San Jacinto (CG-56) were also moving into position to assist, if requested. Before the Pentagon can provide assistance, a formal request must be made by state and federal officials. As of Sept. 11 that request had not been made. The status of other Navy installations in Florida, other than a storm surge of about three feet above normal Sept. 11 at NAVSTA Mayport, the Navy was waiting to assess damages at Panama City, Orlando, and Pensacola. (Source: USNI News 09/11/17) Gulf Coast Note: On Sept. 11, the AF’s Hurlburt Field, Fla., became a staging area for a California Army National Guard unit called in to help with relief efforts in other parts of the state. The guard unit brought two cargo planes loaded with relief supplies, along with numerous helicopters for search and rescue. Eglin AFB, Fla., became a FEMA staging area. As of Sept. 12, none of the bases in the Florida Panhandle – NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Eglin, and Hurlburt - had reported major damages.