JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene

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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFNS) --  Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is actively preparing for Hurricane Irene, officials here said.

The base entered Hurricane Condition III on Aug. 25, which is declared when the weather forecast predicts the arrival of 58 mph or greater winds within 48 hours.

"Hurricane Irene is expected to be a Category 2 storm as it approaches the New Jersey coast," said Senior Master Sgt. Ron Bradford, the 305th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight superintendent here. "This is a very large storm system with hurricane-force winds extending out up to 90 miles from the center. A direct hit by this system is not necessary to cause wide-spread damage."

The base's emergency management team is implementing procedures to ensure the security of military assets as well as the safety of service members and civilian employees assigned here, officials said. This includes working with surrounding communities to identify potential requirements. The JB MDL community can also contribute to the safety of personnel and property by securing their property to keep it from becoming flying debris, officials added.

"Personnel should take this storm very seriously to safeguard family and personal property," Bradford said. "Hurricane force winds can easily pick up common outdoor items and turn them into deadly projectiles, so securing personal belongings is essential for everyone's safety. Flooding also will be a serious issue as the base and surrounding areas could see as much as seven inches of rainfall."

As part of the base's preparations, the 305th Air Mobility Wing will evacuate its C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-10 Extenders to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The New Jersey Air National Guard's 108th Wing will evacuate its KC-135 Stratotankers to McConnell AFB, Kan.

Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here began moving alert equipment and personnel to Little Rock AFB, Ark., to maintain the ability to rapidly deploy.

"We're pleased to be involved with our installation partners in the hurricane preparedness efforts," said Col. Chris Patterson, the 621st CRW commander. "Our people are well-equipped and trained for these types of situations. Because of that, when called upon, we have the capabilities to deliver assistance to areas that need it most."

All units on JB MDL are working together to ensure equipment and military assets are properly secured and aircraft are at their destination well before the hurricane arrives.

"This has been some of the best Air Force teamwork I've ever seen," said Tech. Sgt. Hazeley Glenn, of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron. "The whole base is coming together to make this work."

For updates, visit the joint base's public website at www.jointbasemdl.af.mil or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jbmdl.

(Courtesy of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs.)