Aboard The Uss Wasp (CNN) -- -- Even before Hurricane Irene started thrashing the U.S. East Coast, the Navy prepared for what it could do if the disaster was even more catastrophic than it proved to be. As Irene strengthened and bore down on the United States, the Navy ordered 27 warships to sail out of its massive naval station in Norfolk, Virginia. Another 11 ships, already at sea on various duties, were told to stay out. "Our first mission was to sortie the fleet and keep the fleet safe," said Capt. Brenda Holdener, commander of the USS Wasp, one of the ships that left Norfolk.
@highlight
The USS Wasp is one of America's largest amphibious ships
@highlight
It has a full-sized flight deck, a dock inside its stern and a hospital deck
@highlight
"What you are seeing is lessons learned," says Rear Adm. Kevin Scott
The president would then issue an order to the military, which would trickle down the chain of command before the @placeholder and other ships in the task force could go to work.