Seymour Johnson to evacuate jets
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on September 1, 2010 1:46 PM
Hurricane Earl's projected path has prompted officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to relocate some of the Goldsboro installation's most valuable assets: the aircraft that allow the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing to complete their respective missions.
916th Public Affairs chief Maj. Shannon Mann confirmed this morning that while "nothing is set in stone," several of the wing's KC-135R Stratotankers are preparing to participate in a possible evacuation of 4th F-15Es and the airmen who make them fly -- a charge 916th Operations Group Commander Col. Caroline Evernham said is just another example of the many hats worn by members of the base's Reserve wing.
"Not only is the 916th tasked with getting our own aircraft and people out of town, but we are also a partner with the 4th Fighter Wing, as we help move their jets and airmen to a safe location to ride out the storm," she said. "Our mission of rapid mobility is evident in situations like this and we're ready to move quickly at a moment's notice."
Maj. Mann added that more meetings to determine whether or not the evacuation will be necessary are expected to be held later today.
But moments later, 4th officials confirmed that several of F-15Es would be evacuated -- no details regarding how many are leaving, how long they will be gone and where they are going were released.
For the latest developments on -- and complete coverage of -- the evacuation, follow the News-Argus in print and online at www.NewsArgus.com.