Military Aircraft Prepare To Dodge Isabel

There are few things that will cause America's air power to turn and run. Damned few. But they're doing just that along the Southeastern Seaboard as all hands watch the progress of Hurricane Isabel.

Isabel is a monster of a storm, classified as Category 4 with occassional leaps to Category 5. And it's bearing down on the military complex surrounding Norfolk (VA).

"We're watching the storm and deciding whether to start moving people and aircraft," said Troy Snead, spokesman at the Oceana Naval Air Station, in an interview with ANN. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in the area are also worried about getting their families to safety. "Soon after we make a decision," said Snead, "we'll give those personnel with families a chance to get their loved ones out of here."

Aircraft at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach (VA) and at the Norfolk Naval Station's Chambers Field will be flown inland, or housed inside hangars, officials said.

Langley Air Force Base in Hampton plans to evacuate its F-15 and F-16 fighter jets as well as its C-21 transport planes Tuesday afternoon. They will fly to bases in Indiana, Florida, Illinois and North Dakota. Disabled aircraft will be moved inside, said spokesman Capt. Jeff Glenn.

Why wait so long, until 48 hours before the storm hits? For one thing, military officials say, Isabel is huge. The question becomes, where to move the aircraft to ensure they stay safe and dry.

The Navy's aircraft carriers based in Norfolk, the Enterprise and George Washington, are already at sea.

FMI: www.navy.mil