Getting Out of Dodge

Air Force Reserve Command’s 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB, Miss., on Monday began evacuating its C-130J transports and WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft to locations in Texas to avoid possible damage to them by the heavy winds expected with Hurricane Ida. That storm was expected to near the Gulf Coast by Tuesday or Wednesday, according to National Hurricane Center forecasts. The wing will typically move its aircraft from Keesler when winds are expected to exceed 30 miles per hour. Even though they will be in Texas, the Hurricane Hunters will remain ready to support the National Hurricane Center by flying into Ida and collecting data on its path and intensity. (Keesler report by Lt. Col. Chad E. Gibson)