Sun, Sep 07, 2008
Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Charleston Air Force Base,
SC, evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather
caused by Tropical Storm Hanna. The evacuation of the C-17s began
midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft
relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the
remaining five were repositioned at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Currently, flying operations are suspended until the aircraft
are cleared to safely return. The last time Charleston AFB
officials evacuated aircraft for a hurricane was in August
2006.
"We've been watching Tropical Storm Hanna this past week and we
are taking the appropriate actions to make sure that both the base
and our people are ready," said Col. John Millander, 437th Airlift
Wing commander. "We are repositioning our aircraft for two reasons.
One is to maintain the security of the aircraft; the other is to
continue the ability to use the aircraft, so that if we get tasked
for missions, we still have the ability to operate."
The colonel said the day-to-day operations here would continue
up until the point that base leaders determine the safety of
Charleston's population could be jeopardized because of the
storm.
"Our main concern is the safety of our Airmen and their
families," he said. "We are making sure that we take effective
measures to inform them of the status of the situation and that we
take the appropriate preparatory actions."
"It is imperative that supervisors maintain 100 percent
accountability of personnel and their families, including those
with deployed loved ones," Colonel Millander said. "Nothing is more
important than our Airmen who perform the mission each and every
day. I appreciate all the hard work each individual has dedicated
to this effort in ensuring the safety of Team Charleston. Continue
to stay positive and focused. We are in this together." [ANN
Salutes 1st Lt. C. Michaela Judge, 437th Airlift Wing Public
Affairs]
FMI: www.af.mil
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