Moody AFB evacuated 21 A-10s to Columbus AFB

Photo By Master Sgt. Christopher Gross | Airman Akila Shrefler, A-10 Thunderbolt II crew chief with the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, marshals an A-10 Sept. 13, 2017, as it prepares to depart from Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Twenty-one A-10s from Moody AFB evacuated to Columbus AFB as Hurricane Irma approached mainland U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Gross)  

COLUMBUS AFB, MS, UNITED STATES

09.14.2017

Courtesy Story

14th Flying Training Wing

The decision to leave Moody AFB and come to Columbus was made Sept. 6, said 1st Lt. Ryan Noblin, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer in Charge. He said the squadron has several locations identified in their hurricane evacuation plan, and where they go is based on which direction the hurricane or storm is going.

According to Master Sgt. Anthony Spencer, 75th AMU maintenance project officer, preparing for this evacuation was challenging because when the A-10 deploys, it requires more than just the pilot, but also a team of aircrew that are able to support the jet. He said when they received the evacuation notice, half of his team was participating in an exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

“You have to identify the people, which sounds easy, like ‘oh just pick names,’ but just like any other [Air Force specialty code, we have to have] different skill levels, different levels of competency, so we can’t just take anybody,” Spencer said.

With half of his team TDY, he said it made finding Airmen to support the evacuation even more challenging.

Noblin said aside from finding the people, planning the logistics of which aircraft will be hangared and which will evacuate was also something the team had to overcome.

Maj. Thomas Harney, 75th FS Director of Operations, said the team at Columbus AFB made the arrival as smooth as could be.

“Columbus Air Force Base was incredibly proactive and responsive with assisting us in getting out here and everything we need, especially for such a large footprint all these aircraft have,” Harney said. “We can’t be more thankful for what they were able to do for us.”

Lt. Col. Michael Cancellare, 14th Flying Training Wing Chief of Wing Plans and Programs, said multiple organizations played a part in making this evacuation and transition as easy as possible for the Airmen coming from Moody AFB. Airmen throughout 14th FTW units handled the logistics, like lodging, flightline arrangements and ensuring meeting the needs of the aircrew and aircraft.

The A-10s left Columbus AFB Sept. 13 to return to Moody AFB and other locations.

• Date Taken: 09.14.2017
• Date Posted: 09.14.2017 16:00
• Story ID: 248311
• Location: COLUMBUS AFB, MS, US
• Hometown: COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US
• Hometown: MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, US