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Aircraft from Virginia seek refuge at Grissom

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., --  Aircraft and personnel from the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., will begin arriving here today seeking shelter from Hurricane Joaquin, a powerful storm building in the Atlantic.

In all, 34 F-22 Raptors, eight T-38 Talons and approximately 100 personnel will begin sheltering today as part of a pre-planned agreement between the two bases to protect personnel and assets.

"We have a responsibility to the public to protect taxpayer assets from potential harm," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander.  "The best way we can do that is to get them out of harm's way."

The 1st FW is no stranger to the base, relocating here last in 2011.

"We dust off and roll out our proven reception plan every hurricane season in the event it's needed," Schwartz said. "We're ready to welcome them to Grissom and to safety."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135 Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the globe in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer