CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Base leadership teamed up last week to prepare Team Charleston for potential inclement weather from Hurrican/Tropical Storm Hanna, and to ready aircraft, Airmen and their families in the event of an evacuation.
After analyzing weather reports and the possibility for hurricane activity, the 437th Airlift Wing commander, Col. John "Red" Millander, put Charleston AFB on Hurricane Condition Four Sept. 2 at 10:40 a.m.
HURCON 4 is declared when the forecast calls for the arrival of a tropical storm with 50-knot (58 mph) sustained winds or greater within 72 hours. During this time, Airmen and their families were encouraged to begin preparations for the storm.
Throughout the next couple of days, wing leadership met several times daily at the base's installation control center to study hurricane models showing the intensity of Tropical Storm Hanna's track. Additionally, members at the ICC ensured that each office completed their necessary checklists to prepare the base.
"Our top priority is the safety of our Airmen and their families," said Colonel Millander. "We maintained 100 percent accountability of all military, civilian and dependents throughout the duration of the storm. Supervisors ensured that spouses and dependents of our deployed Airmen were also contacted continually and informed of any changes in hurricane conditions. Team Charleston truly exemplified the meaning of 'Taking care of our Airmen.'"
By late afternoon Sept. 3, winds of 58 mph or greater were expected within 48 hours. In response, Charleston AFB upgraded its alert status to HURCON 3 and began prepping aircraft for possible evacuation.
Within the next several hours, base leadership decided to evacuate Charleston AFB's C-17 Globemaster IIIs. By 2:15 p.m. Sept. 4, six of the base's aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, while the remaining five repositioned at Whiteman AFB, Mo. Following the evacuation, flying operations were suspended from the base until the aircraft were cleared to safely return.
"Our aircraft were evacuated to maintain their security and eliminate the possibility for damage to occur. Just as importantly, though, relocating ensured that the airlift mission around the world could continue. Three of our Whiteman aircraft were re-tasked to fly Hurricane Gustav support missions," Colonel Millander said.
By the morning of Sept. 5, the base had upgraded to HURCON 1, and due to impending weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Hanna, all non-essential civilian and military members from Charleston AFB and tenant organizations were excused from duty.
In order to maintain operability of the installation, Team Charleston members identified as mission-essential reported for duty -- many of which worked out of the base's emergency operations center throughout the storm.
The EOC stood up earlier in the week, and played an important part during the preparation and ride-out stages of the storm.
"The EOC's role in any situation is to provide a key support link between the emergency responder at the scene of an incident and the wing senior leadership in the installation control center. All major support activities are represented in the EOC and provides the incident commander -- typically the fire chief or security forces -- instant reach-back capability for additional assets and support," said Lt. Col. Gregory Williams, 437th Mission Support Group deputy commander and EOC director during daytime operations.
Though it was expected to become a Category 1 hurricane near Charleston,
Tropical Storm Hanna veered eastward and the base was spared any major damage. On Sept. 6 at 6 a.m., the base reopened for normal operations and began assessing facilities for damage. Additionally, within 12 hours of reopening, the base's aircraft were safely returned to the flightline.
In the event that the storm had taken a turn for the worst, Lt. Col. Jeffrey
Todd, 437th Civil Engineer Squadron commander and night shift EOC commander, said the EOC was prepared to prioritize and coordinate all emergency operations during and after a natural disaster. This coordination includes medical responses, fire responses, security incidents, facility damage, utility outages and the protection of high-value assets.
"The primary focus of the EOC after a natural disaster is also to ensure the airfield is operational and can support aircraft operations," Colonel Todd said.
Despite the uncertainty that can come with natural disasters, the base responded successfully.
"It took a mere six hours from the time the 'All Clear' was given at 4 a.m. Sept. 6 to be ready for aircraft operations," Colonel Millander said. "The first C-17 landed 30 minutes later, and in less than 12 hours from 'All Clear,' we had recovered 18 jets; Charleston was 100 percent fully mission capable again. Our performance earned a 'Well Done!' from the Air Mobility Command vice commander and the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center commander.
"Charleston was lucky ... but we were ready. We Fly, Fight and Win as a Team ... and I am so very proud to be part of this Team. Thank you for providing so much capability for our nation," the colonel said.