Most base services remained closed at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 30, four days after Hurricane Helene battered the southeast with high winds and torrential rains. Only mission-essential personnel are allowed on base as recovery operations continue.
MacDill, which sits just a few feet above sea level near Tampa Bay experienced flooding in low-lying areas, widespread power outages, and masses of debris on roads, base officials posted on social media.
Col. Ed Szczepanik and Chief Master Sgt. Raun M. Howell, the commander and command chief of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, said in a video message that some sections of the base—including dorms and base housing—would be temporarily without power Sept. 30 as personnel worked to restore electricity to the whole installation.
Official and unofficial images posted to social media show the road leading to U.S. Central Command headquarters underwater, and no “C” on the “MACDILL AFB” sign on a hangar, the letter having been blown off by the winds.
Szczepanik and Howell said the base would remain closed “at least” through Sept. 30. Later, officials posted to Facebook that on-base housing/dormitory residents and those with scheduled medical appointments will be allowed on base Oct. 1
MacDill evacuated its KC-135 tankers ahead of the storm. A spokesperson for the 6th Air Refueling Wing told Air & Space Forces Magazine on Sept. 30 the aircraft have not returned, though “global operations have not been interrupted and our aircraft and personnel are still conducting missions from alternate stations until they can safely return to our airfield.”
The 23rd Wing at Moody was in the storm’s direct path, and 23rd Wing Commander Col. Ben Rudolphi posted on Facebook that the installation remained closed to non-essential personnel “until further notice.” Rudolphi imposed a 5 p.m.-9 a.m. curfew to minimize the workload for law enforcement.
Tens of thousands of households in Lowndes County, where Moody is located, remain without power, and trees and power lines are downed throughout the area. According to local media reports, many residents lack gas and access to clean water.
On Sept. 30, Rudolphi issued a limited evacuation order “due to uninhabitable living conditions” in the area. That order is in effect through Oct. 6.
Moody evacuated its A-10, MC-130, and HH-60 aircraft ahead of the storm. Officials did not reply to a query about their current locations.
Other bases in the region are back to work. Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., all escaped the storm with minimal damage.