Multiple military bases in the southeastern United States announced the evacuation of aircraft, temporary facility closures, and changes in operation in light of Hurricane Debby.
According to Military.com, National Guardsmen from Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky were ready to engage in storm relief efforts in Florida, while the National Guard was also mobilized in Georgia prior to Hurricane Debby touching down on Monday morning. The outlet noted that while the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm as it began moving north on Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service has still warned of major winds and heavy rainfall in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) signed an executive order that would allow up to 2,000 Georgia National Guardsmen to help respond to Hurricane Debby. Lt. Col. Devin Robinson, a Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed that the Florida National Guard activated 2,673 Guardsmen to aid relief efforts. Additionally, Robinson said South Carolina was sending 70 troops and multiple vehicles, while Kentucky was sending 12 National Guardsmen and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Florida.
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Prior to Monday’s hurricane, at least two Air Force bases relocated multiple aircraft. Laura Anderson, a MacDill Air Force Base spokesperson, told Military.com that the Florida base had moved its KC-135 Stratotankers on Saturday before heavy winds could damage the aircraft. Anderson explained that the base’s other aircraft were all secured inside hangars and that the relocated aircraft would return when “flying conditions are favorable and the airfield is safe to receive aircraft.”
Georgia’s Moody Air Force Base also announced it would be evacuating four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and 23 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft to Alabama’s Maxwell Air Force Base because the aircraft were “unable to fit into available hangar space.”
Multiple military bases announced that some facilities would be closed and that only essential personnel would have to report to work on Monday. Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Fort Stewart, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort were among the bases that announced the temporary closure of certain facilities.
While multiple bases announced the temporary closure of child care centers, recreation areas, and commissaries, other bases, such as Tyndall and Eglin Air Force Bases and Hurlburt Field, announced that they would be conducting normal operations.
