BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- For the fourth consecutive year, Team Barksdale provided refuge to Airmen and aircraft seeking shelter from potential hurricane damage.
More than 200 personnel and 60 aircraft, including KC-135 Stratotankers and F-15E Strike Eagles, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrived here from Sept. 11-12, 2018.
“Because of Barksdale’s large runway, we are able to offer a space compatible for almost any airframe to land,” said Maj. Miguel Romero, 2nd Bomb Wing chief of plans and programs. “We also have a large airfield for multiple units to park their aircraft. Our ability to house them, and the fact that we are inland enough to not be as heavily impacted by natural disasters, makes us the perfect destination for evacuation.”
While Barksdale’s mission typically consist of providing long range strike capability, combat power and combat support, Airmen from the 2nd BW are capable of adapting and meeting different requirements.
“Part of our mission is to provide combat support which can take many forms.” Romero said. “Not only are we able to put bombers in the air and provide support, but we are also able to offer many of the visiting units communication support so they could continue their mission.”
With Hurricane Florence’s unpredictable path, shelter was needed for many coastal units across the Department of Defense. Barksdale’s first-come, first-serve policy allowed for many units to seek refuge near their home base.
“We aid in any unit in Florence’s path,” Romero said. “There are guard and reserve units down south that are along the Gulf Coast and others along the East Coast; they need our help. Luckily we were able to provide it.”
Team Seymour Johnson’s leadership thanks Barksdale for their hard work and dedication to the mission.
“HUREVAC means preserving our assets with a minimal team,” said Chief Master Sgt. Alexander Fortunato, 4th Air Maintenance Squadron, 334th Aircraft Maintenance unit chief. “We want to thank Barksdale for their efforts, we wouldn’t have had such a smooth transition here without everyone’s help.”
Hurricane Florence is not the first and won’t be the last natural disaster to try and hinder Air Force missions, however Team Barksdale is committed to supporting the mission so nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force.