JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene

News: JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

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Story by Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink Follow This Journalist

Courtesy Photo

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst airmen load and secure equipment onto aircraft in preparation of Hurricane Irene Aug. 26, 2011. All JB MDL aircraft are being evacuated to Air Force Base's around the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dennis Sloan)

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is actively preparing for Hurricane Irene.

The base entered Hurricane Condition III on Aug. 25. HURCON III is declared when the weather forecast predicts the arrival of 50-knot (58 mph) or greater winds within 48 hours.

"Hurricane Irene is expected to be a category 2 storm as it approaches the New Jersey coast," said Senior Master Sgt. Ron Bradford, 305th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight superintendent. "This is a very large storm system with hurricane force winds extending out up to 90 miles from the center. A direct hit by this system is not necessary to cause wide-spread damage."

The base's emergency management team is implementing procedures to ensure the security of military assets, as well as the safety of service members and civilian employees assigned here. This includes working with our surrounding communities to identify potential requirements. To view a steps and precautions to take, click here.

The JB MDL community can contribute to the safety of personnel and property by securing their property to keep it from becoming flying debris.

"Personnel should take this storm very seriously to safeguard family and personal property," said Bradford. "Hurricane force winds can easily pick-up common outdoor items and turn them into deadly projectiles, so securing personal belongings is essential for everyone's safety. Flooding also will be a serious issue as the base and surrounding areas could see as much as seven inches of rainfall."

As part of the base's preparations, the 305th Air Mobility Wing will evacuate its C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-10 Extenders to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The New Jersey Air National Guard's 108th Wing will evacuate its KC-135 Stratotankers to McConnell AFB, Kan.

Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing began moving alert equipment and personnel to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. to maintain the ability to rapidly deploy.

"We're pleased to be involved with our installation partners in the hurricane preparedness efforts," said Col. Chris Patterson, 621st CRW commander. "Our people are well-equipped and trained for these types of situations. Because of that, when called upon, we have the capabilities to deliver assistance to areas that need it most."

All units on JB MDL have been working together to ensure equipment and military assets are properly secured and aircraft are at their destination well before the hurricane arrives.

"This has been some of the best Air Force teamwork I've ever seen," said Tech Sgt. Hazeley Glenn, 305th Aerial Port Squadron. "The whole base is coming together to make this work."

For updates, visit the joint base's public website at www.jointbasemdl.af.mil or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jbmdl.