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NC military bases prepare for Hanna

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Marine Corps bases in eastern North Carolina imposed severe-weather plans to ride out Tropical Storm Hanna’s anticipated arrival overnight.

At Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, aircraft were put in hangars and nonessential personnel were allowed to leave. But a spokesman said the actions were precautionary and the weather wasn’t that bad.

“I’m a sailor and I’d consider taking a boat out right now,” said spokesman 1st Lt. Nik Mannweiler. “It’s totally precautionary, making sure we’re taking care of the Marines and equipment.”

At Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, Marines living in barracks were restricted to the base and field exercises were canceled. The base also equipped emergency shelters and opened them Friday evening, ahead of the storm’s arrival.

The base commissary and Onslow Beach also were closed.

Naval Hospital medical clinics and branch clinics shut down Friday afternoon, but emergency facilities will stay open.

In inland Goldsboro, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base officials have told airmen and their families they don’t need to evacuate the Goldsboro facility but they should go to a secure location when Hanna hits.

Airmen moved 80 F-15E Strike Eagles and three aerial tankers to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio on Thursday in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.

But Fort Bragg spokeswoman Sheri Lynne Crowe said officials do not plan to implement their emergency plans and field exercises at the army post are still scheduled.

Should Hanna grow in strength, Fort Bragg is ready to adjust, Crowe said.

“We’re constantly in a state of readiness, 24/7 year-round, because we’re a coastal state,” Crowe said.

Tropical storm watches or warnings have been issued from southern New York City to Georgia in anticipation of Hanna’s arrival.