NORFOLK, Va. - The U.S. Navy is making sure it's prepared ahead of the 2016 hurricane season.
U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command headquartered in Norfolk and Command, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) are conducting the preparedness exercise Hurricane Exercise / Citadel Gale 2016.
The exercise, from May 9-20, involves two simulated storm systems developing and intensifying to hurricane strength while threatening the Caribbean, East Coast and Gulf Coast.
The exercise is preparing the Navy to respond to weather threats and maintain the ability to deploy forces even in less than favorable weather conditions.
"Any time a hurricane could impact our assets here it could cause billions of dollars worth of damage as well as people here which is our number one mission: caring about people," LTJG Erin Harvanek told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo.
The Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk keeps commanders updated on storm progress and potential tracks.
