The USS Lassen departs Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024, to prepare for Hurricane Milton.Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexa H. Trafton As category 5 Hurricane Milton churns towards Florida, several military installations are in or close to the direct path of the destructive hurricane. The Defense Department’s foremost concern is, of course, the safety of its personnel and their families. To this end the military has taken action to protect them from any possible harm by closing installations across Florida ahead of Milton’s arrival. MacDill Air Force Base, a major military hub…