Maxwell AFB, federal agencies prepare for Hurricane Irma

  • Published
  • By Phil Berube
  • Maxwell AFB Public Affairs
As Hurricane Irma races across the ocean, hundreds of tractor trailers carrying relief supplies are racing to Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to preposition for further disbursement.

Starting Sept. 7, 2017, Maxwell AFB, is an incident staging base. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be receiving approximately 800 trailers bearing water, food, generators and other commodities that will be sorely needed by communities in Irma’s path.

Crews from FEMA and the Defense Logistics Agency are already at Maxwell AFB and more will be arriving in the next few days to receive the relief supplies and direct their distribution following the storm.

“Maxwell (AFB) is more than prepared to host FEMA and DLA for this vital mission,” said Col. Melissa Stone, 42nd Air Base Wing vice commander. “We’ll do whatever we can to help these agencies bring relief to the people who will be affected by this dangerous storm.”

The base is also making preparations to receive military aircraft based in affected areas as well as evacuees from affected military bases should the need arise, she said.

“Our hope is that the storm’s impacts are not as severe as what is predicted, but we are planning for the worst and are ready to assist in whatever capacity is required,” Stone said.