About 350 aircrew and maintainers from the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing evacuated Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., Friday. About 60 F-15E Strike Eagles and eight KC-135R Stratotankers also evacuated to Barksdale AFB, La., in an effort to escape Hurricane Irene, which was slated to hit land over the weekend. “Each [F-15E] jet costs approximately $54 million; there is $5 billion worth of assets here at Seymour Johnson, so this is an attempt to mitigate the risk,” said Lt. Col. David Moeller, the 335th Fighter Squadron commander, in a release. Military bases all along the eastern sea board were bracing for the hurricane. As of Friday afternoon the hurricane remained a category three. It was expected to maintain major hurricane status, with winds of at least 115 miles per hour, as it approached the North Carolina coast Saturday morning, according to a release. Military bases all along the East Coast were bracing for the storm, with many offering voluntary evacuations or early dismissals. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, offered to take in up to 80 military aircraft looking for shelter from the storm, reported the Springfield [Ohio] News-Sun. (See also Come On, Irene from the Daily Report archives)
One Airman was killed and three others injured in a vehicle mishap at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on June 29. Additionally, two first responder Airmen sustained injuries responding to the incident. All five injured Airmen have been transported to nearby medical facilities, according to a release from the base.