Keesler tests its hurricane plan Published July 29, 2009 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- "Hurricane Taylor" tested Keesler's ability to prepare and respond to tropical weather threats as the Mississippi Gulf Coast heads into the heart of hurricane season. As the waters of the Gulf of Mexico heat up from the blazing summer sun, tropical disturbances are often churned up. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September is the most active month for hurricanes. Keesler's five-day exercise was conducted to validate the base's ability to safely and efficiently implement its hurricane plan. The exercise was conducted July 21 through Friday, then resumed Monday. Teams that guided the base through the exercise included the installation control center, emergency control center and unit and group control centers. Each team assumes different responsibilities when a storm threatens south Mississippi. Keesler's current hurricane plan has evolved since the base was slammed by Hurricane Katrina, the most costly and destructive storm in U.S. history, nearly four years ago. Not only did Katrina inflict more than $900 million in damage to Keesler, the surrounding areas were devastated and many members of the base community lost their homes and possessions. The exercise tested all aspects of the base's emergency support functions -- transportation, communication, public works and engineering, firefighters, oil and hazardous materials, emergency management, mass care and human services, public health and medical services, public safety and security, external affairs and resource support. "Hurricane Taylor" was an opportunity to review Keesler's ability in command and control, notification and response using specialized teams for safety, accountability and shelter management. The exercise included a simulated recovery phase with damage assessment. "The exercise was a good shakedown of Keesler procedures and plans to deal with a hurricane emergency response," said John Thornton, installation emergency manager for CSC, base operating support contractor. "Across the board, the inputs generated activity to allow the various teams and command and control networks to practice existing (hurricane condition) checklists. Newly-assigned Team Keesler members were exposed to the procedures and afforded the opportunity to test their knowledge and highlight areas needing improvement. "Overall, it was a good event that highlighted the reality that someday we'll have to employ what we learned from this exercise when a actual hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast."