Air Force base near Tampa ready for Hurricane Charley Published Aug. 13, 2004 SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Several Air Force bases in the path of Hurricane Charley are preparing for whatever the storm may throw at them.People and aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., began evacuating Aug. 12. Nearly 1,500 residents of base housing moved to safe havens while aircraft were flown to bases out of the hurricane’s reach. Three KC-135 Stratotankers and crews evacuated to McConnell AFB, Kan., while three more went to Nellis AFB, Nev. One Stratotanker and crew headed to Bangor, Maine, and one aircraft needing maintenance was secured in a hangar.Officials at Air Mobility Command bases north of Florida are also taking precautions. Although no people have been evacuated at Charleston AFB, S.C., some aircraft have been relocated. Several C-17 Globemaster IIIs aircraft and crews have relocated to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Nearly 20 of the cargo aircraft are already on missions away from base and will not return until it is safe. A few aircraft requiring maintenance have been secured inside hangars.At Pope AFB, N.C., 13 C-130s have been moved to Little Rock AFB, Ark. Two C-130s and 13 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs have been evacuated to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio. Another 13 A-10s have moved to Barksdale AFB, La. Two C-130s and three A-10s remain in maintenance hangars.About 40 F-15E Strike Eagles and crews from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., have been sent to Tinker AFB, Okla., as a precaution, but there a currently no plans to evacuate people. No other Air Force bases in the area are reporting any planned evacuations of aircraft or people.