Eight U.S. Navy and one Royal Australian Air Force P-3C arrived at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island late Aug. 7, after receiving evacuation orders in Hawaii due to two major storms approaching the Islands; Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Julio, according to a Navy press release.

NAS Whidbey Island is the routine location for Navy aircraft that have to evacuate from Hawaii.

“One of the many benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest is hurricanes are not something that we have to concern ourselves with,” said Capt. Vince Segars, commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10. “However, that is not the case for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two in Hawaii. When a hurricane comes, you have to quickly fly away or hangar your aircraft.”

Although the hurricane has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, aircrewmen from Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay will stay at NAS Whidbey Island for the duration of the storm and return to their home base as soon as word has cleared that it is safe for them to come home, the press release said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hawaii and the family members of our sister squadrons that have to remain behind,” said Segars. “We are thankful that we can host the CPRW-2 aircraft, and ready them to return to their family and homes as soon as the hurricane passes.”