MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A tropical storm wreaked havoc with its powerful winds and rainfall as Team Moody members sought to safeguard the installation’s assets from a natural disaster during a simulated hurricane exercise, May 13-17, here.
With hurricane season quickly approaching South Georgia, Moody partook in the exercise designed to test their preparedness amidst adverse weather conditions.
During the scenario, Airmen responded and recovered the installation to safety while combating high winds, heavy rainfall and a tornado associated with the exercise’s Hurricane Cobra. To accomplish this, the scenario consisted of two phases.
“During week one of the exercise, [communication] was the number one thing that helped ensure Moody was prepared for the hurricane,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Misty Cardwell, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of emergency management. “[This] allowed individuals to make plans for their families in case of evacuation or sheltering.
“Week two focused on responding to the storm,” Cardwell added. “This focused on the installation’s ability to respond to the high winds and heavy rains. It also allowed for commanders to ready their equipment and personnel.”
By implementing these plans, the base utilized their capabilities to combat the hurricane.
It is very important for everyone on the installation to understand the processes and procedures that come along with preparing for and responding to a hurricane,” said Cardwell. “It is not just for active-duty personnel that work here, but also for their families.
“[Everyone] should have a family emergency preparedness plan for their homes that explains where the shelters are, routes of evacuation, and a shelter in place plan,” Cardwell added.
According to Tech. Sgt. Nicole Curran, 23d Operations Support Squadron NCO in charge of airfield services, winds that reached 70 mph, rain and a tornado caused Cobra to make landfall.
In the event of an actual hurricane, this would adversely affect the base’s infrastructure, which can only withstand approximately 56 mph of high winds.
“Hurricane season presents many safety concerns for the personnel and infrastructure at Moody,” said Cardwell. “The strong winds and large amounts of rain that may accompany a strong storm system can hamper the mission by impeding operations.
“If a storm passes through the area, evacuations of personnel and aircraft are essential to ensure the mission may continue once the storm passes,” Cardwell added. “Since the area is prone to flash flooding, the heavy rains that may accompany the storm system would cause severe damage to the infrastructure.”
As individuals were equipped with action plans in preparing and reacting proactively to Cobra, Curran advised Airmen and their families to continually be vigilant of an actual natural disaster happening during this hurricane season.
“Everyone should have a disaster preparedness kit,” said Curran. “This would consist of [things such as] a first aid kit, flashlights with extra batteries, 1 gallon of fresh water for each person and pet in your household per day for three days, at least a three day supply of non-perishable food, and a battery-powered or hand crank radio,” said Curran.
“Airmen should also have an evacuation plan on file with their leadership in case the wing commander gives the order to evacuate personnel,” added Curran.
For additional information on how to prepare for any natural disaster, individuals can visit www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php