CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Hurricanes are one of the most powerful elements of nature. The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 was the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, while Hurricane Katrina was the costliest.
Hurricanes have been and will continue to be a part of our world far into the future. The impact of even a Category 1 or 2 hurricane is difficult to imagine by those who haven't seen a hurricane's power. Surviving one is more a matter of preparedness than luck.
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna tested our ability and resolve to survive and continue to perform our mission. While Hurricane Hanna was moving through the Caribbean, preparations were already underway at Charleston in anticipation of Hanna's potential landfall in our area. Team Charleston immediately began reviewing evacuation plans and quick response checklists to verify resources and Airmen.
Hurricane Hanna lost some energy while it remained off the coast of Cuba, and its track was updated with Charleston as a likely landfall in the continental U.S. The Installation Control Center began actively implementing Hurricane Condition Checklists as the likelihood of destructive winds impacting the base became more apparent.
Team Charleston ... we went to work with another kind of vital mission and, as with the operational readiness inspection, we did so with precision and reliability. We knew our capabilities because of our ORI preparation. We were determined to keep our people and our base safe.
As Hanna approached the eastern seaboard, I was awestruck by the magnificent efforts every member of Team Charleston put forth. Working as a Team, we quickly overcame problems and the mission progressed unimpeded. We launched 11 jets to ride out the storm at Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. We safeguarded high-value equipment and successfully implemented precautions to protect our most valuable resource: our people. We even launched real-world missions in support of Hurricane Gustav from Whiteman!
The storm passed ... and, thankfully, Charleston was spared. Then Team Charleston really showed why we are Air Mobility Command's Premier Airlift Wing ... and the 2008 Air Force Association Verne Orr winner -- the teamwork award. From "All Clear," to ready for aircraft operations was a mere six hours ... and the first C-17 landed 30 minutes later. 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 AMC vice commander and the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center commander! 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.
I must close now ... command post just called. We are launching three more C-17s and maintenance Airmen to move medical staging facilities for Hurricane Ike.
We are ... Team Charleston. Take the Fight to the Enemy!