Typhoon Nari heads for Okinawa Published Sept. 14, 2007 By Maj. Dani Johnson 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Typhoon Nari, the second typhoon of the season, is on track to pass over Okinawa Sept. 14, Kadena Air Base weather officials said. At a base typhoon strike meeting Sept. 14, operations and maintenance officials from the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army discussed the base plan for protecting aircraft and other assets. "Right now it should hit the island sometime (the evening of Sept. 14) with 45 knot winds gusting to 65 knots and should last until early Saturday morning," said Capt. Jonathan Wilson, the 18th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "While not as big or strong as Man-Yi (the typhoon that hit the base in July), it is still significant." According to the weather flight the storm gathered strength quickly, accelerating base preparation. Base F-15 Eagles, HH-60 Pave Hawks and the 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion high value equipment as well as any non-mission capable aircraft will be sheltered in hangars and protective aircraft shelters on base. Larger base aircraft -- the KC-135 Stratotanker, RC-135 Rivet Joint, MC-130, P-3 and E-3 Sentry will evacuate to various locations throughout the Pacific. Across the base, unit members are preparing their facilities to withstand high winds by securing loose equipment and moving what can be moved indoors. Family housing members are also tying down outdoor living items that cannot be placed inside. "The most important thing is the safety of our military members and their families," said Brig. Gen. Brett T. Williams, the 18th Wing commander, during the typhoon strike meeting. "We can replace equipment but we cannot replace our most valuable asset." In July, Okinawa was hit by Typhoon Man-Yi and experienced winds gusting up to 105 mph. The base damages were primarily foliage and trees with some buildings needing minor repairs. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page