Moody gears up for hurricane season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season. In preparation for this type of emergency, Airmen here recently tested the base's ability to respond during a pair of exercises from May 19-30.

The two-week exercise was broken down into two phases, which simulated "Hurricane Dave" to evaluate Moody's capabilities to provide support for off-base recovery efforts and then quickly evacuate the base, said Maj. Jeff Hogan, 23rd Wing chief of plans, programs and inspections.

"We want to ensure people are aware of the hurricane plans and expectations," Major Hogan said. "The exercise was a good way to rehearse the plan of action. By being able to practice, we are able to identify shortcomings of our plan, identify which areas we had difficulties on, learn how to protect Air Force assets and take care of our Airmen."

Practicing for natural disasters is important because it impacts the base in many ways, said the major.

"Hurricanes affect training and local operations, because we are forced to evacuate the aircraft," said Major Hogan. "In addition, there may be light wind damage, heavy rains and flooding."

During the first phase, the wing's rescue assets, including 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., and Nellis AFB, Nev., tested their ability to rapidly deploy and support an off-base natural disaster based on a short-notice request. The wing put these techniques to work in 2005 when it deployed to support relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Its efforts helped save more than 4,300 people from the disaster-stricken areas.

The second phase dealt with preparing the base to quickly and efficiently prepare personnel and equipment to evacuate once a hurricane is within a distance that creates a defined threat to the base. These activities included securing loose equipment and assets to secure them from wind-damage and filling sandbags to protect facilities.

This phase also forced Moody leadership to make decisions on how to secure aircraft or evacuate them if the threat dictated their movement.

"Every base has to protect its assets," said Maj. David McCoy, 23rd Wing chief of inspections. "Moody's aircraft and Airmen are important to the mission, so we have to get them out of harm's way."

Both majors said the exercises provided a good overview of where Moody stands during a hurricane disaster.

"Integrating all new units such as the 23rd Fighter Group in our plans was difficult, but overall everyone was successful in doing their role during the exercise," said Major Hogan. "Hopefully we can use all the things we've learned (to respond to a) real-world hurricane."