Elmendorf officials prepare for possible volcano eruption

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Erin Slaughter
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) --  With the threat of an eruption at Mount Redoubt located 106 miles southwest of Anchorage, people throughout Elmendorf Air Force Base are preparing for the possibility of volcanic ash fall.

Preparations began after officials from the Alaska Volcano Observatory and the U.S. Geologic Survey issued a volcanic activity notice Jan. 25, changing the Volcano Alert Level at Mount Redoubt to a "watch" and the Aviation Color Code to "orange."

According to the notice, seismic activity at Mount Redoubt had increased markedly, and this activity could be precursory to an eruption, perhaps within hours to days. 

Base officials immediately began identifying precautions and readiness measures to protect the wing's people and other resources.

"Elmendorf leadership has been very proactive in addressing prudent planning actions to ensure our ability to support the installation mission, our installation community, and the local community. These are all priorities that we are fully capable of achieving," said Lt. Col. Dean Hartman, the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

The readiness staff at the civil engineer squadron sent out preparedness information to increase individual awareness for base members. This information is now available on the base public Web site at www.elmendorf.af.mil.

Communications squadron officials also notified employees that they must shut down and use plastic to cover all electronics equipment at the end of the each duty day. Direction stated that action must be taken at the close of each duty day until it is directed otherwise, as volcanic ash can be extremely damaging to electronics.

Precautions continued when officials decided over the weekend to reposition the C-17 Globemaster III fleet to McChord AFB in Washington.

"We are taking this precaution to ensure these high demand assets are available to U.S. Transportation Command when needed," said Col. Richard Walberg, the 3rd Wing Vice commander.

This effort included more than 100 people throughout the base. Agencies across the wing including the legal office, personnel, chaplains, finance and services established a processing line starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Joint Mobility Center to make sure all Airmen leaving with the jets were prepared for departure.

"Through various initiatives, including senior leader planning sessions, media outreach to the installation community, and preparation to enact applicable emergency response plans, Elmendorf is postured to successfully respond to and recover from a potential eruption event," Colonel Hartman said.

General information about volcanic ash is also available at the U.S. Geological Survey Web site at www.volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/.

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