Return of the Jets

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Maldonado | A U.S. Air Force F-16CM Viper returns to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Sept. 6, 2019, from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, after evacuating Sept. 4, 2019 before Hurricane Dorian's arrival. More than 50 Vipers evacuated Shaw to avoid the storm's potentially destructive weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Maldonado)  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES

09.06.2019

Courtesy Story

20th Fighter Wing

Shaw Air Force Base welcomed home over 50 F-16’s from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Sept. 6, 2019, after being evacuated for Hurricane Dorian.

While the base sustained little to no damage, the Hurricane Evacuation proved that the 20th Fighter Wing can prepare and employ forces on a quick timeline, ensuring the Air force maintains combat ready assets at all times.

Due to Hurricane Dorian’s uncertain forecast, leadership decided to evacuate the jets to protect the millions of dollars invested into the F-16 and to allow time for our most important assets, Airmen and their families, to get ready for the arrival of the storm. To prepare the base and over 50 jets for Hurricane Dorian, Airmen banded together.

“Our Airmen are ready to respond at a moment’s notice due to their impeccable work ethic, training and dedication to their nation,” said Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter wing commander. “From our maintainers prepping the jets to the first responders and Civil Engineers working around the clock to ensure our safety, our Airmen know how to work together as a team to accomplish any task thrown their way.”

With the base back to normal operations our Airmen can focus on our primary mission of suppression of enemy air defenses and becoming the most lethal ready leaders they can be.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2019
• Date Posted: 09.06.2019 17:19
• Story ID: 338795
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US