thedrifter
09-15-05, 06:07 AM
Cherry Point Marines organize for Ophelia
September 15,2005
K.J. Williams View stories by reporter
Sun Journal Staff
CHERRY POINT - The Marines have organized a line of defense against Hurricane Ophelia, placing aircraft in hangars and flying some KC-130s to other locations, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"We've been prepared for a while now â?¦ ," said Maj. Shawn Haney. "We are in Condition One, which means that nonessential personnel do not come to the base."
Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Naval personnel whose jobs aren't crucial have been told to remain in their quarters if they live at Cherry Point, she said.
The air station's destructive weather officer, Maj. John Wilkin, said he coordinates emergency preparations with his counterparts from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Wilkin said Cherry Point's hangars have a rating that indicates the highest wind speed the hangars can withstand and Hurricane Ophelia with its 85 mph was within that range.
"As long as a storm is rated at less than that speed then we'll attempt to hangar that aircraft," he said.
The search and rescue helicopter, Pedro, will be available after the storm for emergency assistance.
"We have (Pedro) crews actually right now on stand by," Wilkin said, adding Cherry Point's fire department also will be available.
Based on storm surge maps of Cherry Point, only "minor, localized flooding" was expected, he said.
Wilkin said non-essential personnel were off duty by 11 p.m. Tuesday. They will remain off duty today. At the Naval Air Depot Cherry Point, employees working the first shift Wednesday left work early. Administrative leave was given to employees on the second and third shift, according to recorded information.
Several days ago, the Marines began placing portable generators, drinking water and packaged food rations at sites throughout the base in case the food halls close as a result of the storm.
Cherry Point has its own shelter for the military. Still, the Marines have lent supplies like blankets, water and generators, besides sending Marines, including corpsmen and chaplains, to shelters at Brinson Memorial Elementary School and Havelock High School, Wilkin said.
K.J. Williams can be reached at 635-5664 or at kwilliams@freedomenc.com.
Ellie
September 15,2005
K.J. Williams View stories by reporter
Sun Journal Staff
CHERRY POINT - The Marines have organized a line of defense against Hurricane Ophelia, placing aircraft in hangars and flying some KC-130s to other locations, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"We've been prepared for a while now â?¦ ," said Maj. Shawn Haney. "We are in Condition One, which means that nonessential personnel do not come to the base."
Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Naval personnel whose jobs aren't crucial have been told to remain in their quarters if they live at Cherry Point, she said.
The air station's destructive weather officer, Maj. John Wilkin, said he coordinates emergency preparations with his counterparts from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Wilkin said Cherry Point's hangars have a rating that indicates the highest wind speed the hangars can withstand and Hurricane Ophelia with its 85 mph was within that range.
"As long as a storm is rated at less than that speed then we'll attempt to hangar that aircraft," he said.
The search and rescue helicopter, Pedro, will be available after the storm for emergency assistance.
"We have (Pedro) crews actually right now on stand by," Wilkin said, adding Cherry Point's fire department also will be available.
Based on storm surge maps of Cherry Point, only "minor, localized flooding" was expected, he said.
Wilkin said non-essential personnel were off duty by 11 p.m. Tuesday. They will remain off duty today. At the Naval Air Depot Cherry Point, employees working the first shift Wednesday left work early. Administrative leave was given to employees on the second and third shift, according to recorded information.
Several days ago, the Marines began placing portable generators, drinking water and packaged food rations at sites throughout the base in case the food halls close as a result of the storm.
Cherry Point has its own shelter for the military. Still, the Marines have lent supplies like blankets, water and generators, besides sending Marines, including corpsmen and chaplains, to shelters at Brinson Memorial Elementary School and Havelock High School, Wilkin said.
K.J. Williams can be reached at 635-5664 or at kwilliams@freedomenc.com.
Ellie