laststandonzombieisland

Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet ordered all U.S. Navy ships in the Hampton Roads, Va., area to set Sortie Condition Bravo Aug. 23, in order to maintain fleet readiness as a precaution due to the approach of Hurricane Irene

For shore facilities, five hurricane conditions exist, forecasting the approximate time to the onset of winds greater than 64 knots: Condition V – the possibility of a system-onset exists (set throughout hurricane season), Condition IV – 72 hours, Condition III – 48 hours, Condition II – 24 hours and Condition I – 12 hours.

For ships, three sortie conditions (A, B and C) exist. Because the risk of damage is greater when ships remain tied to the pier, it’s much safer for them to ride out the storm at sea. Aircraft are also relocated to predesignated alternate sites.  

Condition Charlie means ships must be prepared to leave within 48 hours; at condition Bravo, ships must be prepared to get underway within 24 hours; sortie condition Alpha indicates the execution of the sortie and the sailing of ships.