By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 – The Defense Department is ready to respond should Hurricane Earl’s projected landfall this weekend bring disaster to the Atlantic coast, Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Robert L. Ditchey said today.  Today, hurricane warnings were issued for North Carolina, and a hurricane watch was issued in Virginia. North Carolina’s division of emergency management issued mandatory evacuations in some areas in the Outer Banks. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency for his state.  “The Department of Defense is monitoring Hurricane Earl, working closely with the [Federal Emergency Management Agency], and is prepared to respond if needed,” Ditchey said.  FEMA’s Region I defense coordinating officer also has been activated. The 403rd Wing from Kessler Air Force Base, Miss., known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” has conducted five flights in the past 24 hours, providing aerial surveillance along the coast.  Also, North Carolina and Virginia National Guard have placed more than 250 guardsmen on state active duty to begin response preparations, he said.

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