Eglin provides shelter for Hurricane Ophelia evacuees

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Nineteen aircraft from Langley Air Force Base, Va., found shelter from the storm on the runway here Sept. 13.

The 1st Fighter Wing jets, along with a crew of 90 support Airmen, arrived here midafternoon, evacuated from Virginia because of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ophelia.

Providing shelter for the jets is a chance for the 46th Test Wing to be on the receiving end for a change, instead of evacuating its own aircraft -- a task that flying wings here are all too familiar with. Planes here fled the base three times in the last year because of hurricanes.

Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, 94th FS director of operations at Langley, said their evacuation plan calls for finding the best location for the aircraft.

"Actually, Grissom (Air Reserve Base, Ind.,) was our primary evacuation location, but they were expecting bad weather," Colonel Johnson said "Coming to Eglin was a last-minute change."

Colonel Johnson said he and the crews planned to wait out the storm with the hopes of returning Sept. 16. He was not particularly concerned about Ophelia's approach; however, the storm poses a threat to the aircraft and support equipment because of high winds and the potential for flooding. Langley's flightline is only 11 feet above sea level.

"Luckily for us, I don't think the storm will be too bad, although we expect some flooding," the colonel said. "But the smartest way to take care of our aircraft is to get them out of harm's way."

Master Sgt. Steve Mugrage, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist flight chief here, found out midday that the jets were arriving. He had a welcoming committee of about 80 maintainers on the tarmac as the planes arrived. For them, it was just another day at the airfield.

"We kept both shifts here to take care of the extra planes," Sergeant Mugrage said. "It's a normal aircraft recovery -- laying out chocks and fire extinguishers."

As the crews buttoned up the aircraft, many of the pilots headed to lodging where they joined Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are housed there.

"There's not much room in the inn; we were very full last night and we expect to be full to the end the week," said Tom Harmon, 96th Services Squadron lodging manager. "These evacuees are the top priority."

Lodging officials have been sending normal temporary duty and space-available travelers to contract quarters every day, Mr. Harmon said.

"I expect we'll have some relief as soon as this hurricane passes," he said. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)