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NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy has dispatched five helicopters with a dozen rescue swimmers to the Gulf Coast to assist in Hurricane Gustav's wake.

The five Norfolk-based helicopters headed Monday to Pensacola, Fla.

Three MH-60 Sierra helicopters left at about 5 a.m. from Norfolk Naval Station, followed by two MH-53 helicopters a few hours later.

The Navy also sent nine helicopters from Jacksonville and has set aside eight more from across the East Coast to help if necessary.

On Monday, the commander of the Second Fleet, Vice Adm. Mel Williams, Jr, ordered the USS Bataan to get under way today to demonstrate at-sea readiness for disaster response.

The hurricane exercise is not in response to the current event. Forces are trained and capable of conducting extensive search and rescues, evacuations, and providing medical assistance.

Also, a team of officers from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is due in Louisiana to report for Hurricane Gustav duty.

The 30 fish and game officers could be joined today by a 20-member state police team.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office said the Game and Inland Fisheries team was expected to arrive Monday at a staging area in Baton Rouge, La.

Kaine said many Virginia agencies, localities and organizations are at the ready to respond for requests for assistance.

He stressed that volunteers or first responders should avoid going to Louisiana on their own and instead contact a volunteer organization with a response mission.

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