CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston AFB was put on Hurricane Condition 4 at 10:40 a.m. by the 437th Airlift Wing commander here due to conditions caused by Tropical Storm Hanna.
Hurricane Condition Four 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.
Base Airmen and residents should begin preparing for the possible arrival of the storm, which may necessitate evacuation of the base.
"As always, our top priority is the safety of our Airmen and their families," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "The wing leadership along with our partners from the local community are studying the hurricane models showing the intensity and track of the approaching storm. We will keep a watchful eye on weather reports and prepare the base population and aircraft just in case we need to evacuate. While the protection of our aircraft is vital to the nation, nothing is more important than our Airmen who perform the mission each and every day."
No order has been given for the evacuation of base residents at this time. Residents should not begin evacuation until ordered to do so by the 437th Airlift Wing commander who is working closely with Charleston County officials in this matter.
Right now, Airmen should contact their units to insure 100% accountability of all military, civilian and dependants. Spouses and dependents of deployed Airmen are also asked to contact their units and provide 24 hour location information and intentions. This contact is essential to providing support to deployed Airmen families.
If an evacuation order is given, Airmen and their families must call the Personnel Relocation Center at 1-800-435-9941 to notify the Air Force Personnel Center of where they are at, a good contact number and any other pertinent information. Airmen are also asked to call on a daily basis to see when they were be able to return to the base.
During HURCON 4, the 437th Airlift Wing will begin precautionary preparations to secure property that may be exposed to storm conditions, plan for the possible evacuation of aircraft and Airman and their families and work closely with the local authorities on coordinated efforts. Additionally, teams will soon begin to store outdoor items that could become projectiles in a storm.
People living in base housing should monitor the Commander's Channel, (Channel 2), for the latest information on Hurricane Conditions and actions being taken by base officials to prepare for the possible onset of the storm.
For up-to-date hurricane condition information, Airman and base residents can call the 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs hurricane condition Straight Talk line at (843) 963-5581.