Florida bases prepare for Hurricane Frances

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SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  As forecasters predict Hurricane Frances will reach land near Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., on Sept. 4, bases have begun preparing for the storm Sept. 1.

At Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., the 482nd Fighter Wing commander ordered 16 F-16 Fighting Falcons to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

Officials at the 45th Space Wing at Patrick are preparing for a potential evacuation order and shutting down operations there and at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Sept. 2.

Crews began securing and battening down critical facilities including launch complexes Sept. 1, officials said.

Aircraft assigned to Patrick and Cape Canaveral have been sheltered in hangars or are scheduled be flown to other locations by Sept. 2, and three launch vehicles have been secured inside their mobile service towers. These structures are designed to withstand winds up to 125 mph, officials said.

All non-mission essential military and civilian people are directed not to report for duty Sept. 2. Most facilities on base will not be open with the exception of the base exchange and commissary, which will be open 9 a.m. to noon.

The 45th SW commander said he expects to announce an evacuation order for all base people by Sept. 2.

Other bases in the region are monitoring the projected path.

Air Force Personnel Center officials are ready to offer assistance through the personnel readiness center at Randolph AFB, Texas. The readiness center staff acts as a central point of contact for people who have been ordered to evacuate by their commander.

People should only call the readiness center to report a change in their “safe haven” information or to learn about updates at their home stations such as when it is safe to return, said Master Sgt. Eric Barnes, noncommissioned officer in charge of the deployed operations section at the personnel center.

Sergeant Barnes is urging people to follow the menu options for particular bases to find out the latest information. Information is available 24 hours a day, and changes will be updated as they occur, Sergeant Barnes said.

People can reach the readiness center toll free at (800) 435-9941.