sfc_darrel
10-27-2003, 04:47 PM
San Diego, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2003) -- Under a cloud of smoke from nearby burning wildfires, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) prepares to get underway from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. Stennis is leaving port to conduct scheduled training exercises in the Southern California operating area. At least 10 fires had burned more than 280,000 acres and destroyed at least 850 homes by Sunday night. Smoke is also delaying flights into and out of area airports. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Mark Rebilas. (RELEASED)