Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Caycee Watson | U.S. Air Force fighter pilots with the 157th Fighter Squadron at McEntire Joint...... read more read more
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MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. – Anticipating the potential for damaging winds and spin-off tornadoes caused by Hurricane Dorian, the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing is evacuating most of its F-16 fighter jet fleet, September 4 to Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas.
The base will continue disaster support operations for as long as deteriorating weather conditions allow, while providing 24/7 homeland defense as a NORAD air-defense trained unit.
“Although Hurricane Dorian may cause us to temporarily suspend flying operations, we [McEntire JNGB] will always have mission essential personnel on-hand to keep our installation ready to support rescue and relief efforts as soon as conditions allow,” said Col. Akshai Gandhi, 169th Fighter Wing and Base commander. “Your South Carolina National Guard hometown Airmen and Soldiers are always ready. We take great pride in helping our fellow Americans in their time of need.”
Once the immediate weather effects of Hurricane Dorian pass, McEntire JNGB will quickly standup around-the-clock support to local, state and federal agencies as a central aerial port and logistics support hub, providing emergency rotor and fixed wing resupply and rescue efforts to areas of need throughout the state. This includes the capability of deploying a mobile air traffic control tower team and equipment to augment airport operations where increased aircraft traffic will be occurring.
Direct any questions to the 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 803-647-8208.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2019 02:58 |
| Story ID: | 338451 |
| Location: | MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, South Carolina Air National Guard F-16 fighter jets evacuate ahead of Hurricane Dorian, by SMSgt Edward Snyder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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