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Keesler provides haven for aircraft evacuating from Irma's path

MH-60R Seahawks from Naval Air Squadron Jacksonville, Florida, and Naval Station Mayport, Florida, are parked on the flightline Sept. 11, 2017, on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Thirty-one MH-60R Seahawks were flown here from six different naval squadrons to escape Hurricane Irma. More than six aircraft are waiting to be called in to assist Florida with hurricane recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Beihl)

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Keesler provides haven for aircraft evacuating from Irma's path

Airmen from the 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit, Combat Search and Rescue, out of Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, perform engine checks on a HH-60 Pave Hawk on the flightline Sept. 11, 2017, on Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Seven HH-60 Pave Hawks were flown here to escape Hurricane Irma and are on standby to fly to Florida to assist with hurricane recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Beihl)

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Keesler provides haven for aircraft evacuating from Irma's path

Two HC-130J Combat King II’s from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, are parked on the flightline Sept. 11, 2017, on Keesler AFB, Mississippi. The aircraft were flown here to escape Hurricane Irma and are slated to fly to Florida to assist with hurricane recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Beihl)

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Keesler provides haven for aircraft evacuating from Irma's path

An HH-60 Pave Hawk from 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit, Combat Search and Rescue, out of Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, is parked on the flightline Sept. 11, 2017, on Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Seven HH-60 Pave Hawks were flown here to escape Hurricane Irma and are on standby to fly to Florida to assist with hurricane recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Beihl)

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Keesler provides haven for aircraft evacuating from Irma's path

Four HH-60 Pave Hawk’s from the 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit, Combat Search and Rescue, out of Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, are parked on the flightline Sept. 11, 2017, on Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Seven HH-60 Pave Hawks were flown here to escape Hurricane Irma and are on standby to fly to Florida to assist with hurricane recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Beihl)

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Keesler provides evacuating aircraft safe haven

Published Sept. 11, 2017
By Senior Airman Travis Beihl
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Seven HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, along with 31 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport, both from Florida, arrived here this weekend to escape Hurricane Irma.

The HH-60s and HC-130s are from the 41st and 71st rescue squadrons, respectively.

Aircraft from the affected region were evacuated to numerous bases throughout the U.S. and Keesler was eager to support in any way possible.

“We are happy to give support to the 40 aircraft and the 199 personnel who needed to escape Hurricane Irma,” said Maj. Sam Walker, 81st Operation Support Flight commander. “We are providing power units, lodging, office space, maintenance facilities and refueling among other things so they can continue to plan their next mission; whether it’s to their base or to assist with the hurricane relief efforts.”

The aircraft are projected to stay here long enough to ride out Irma, which was downgraded to a tropical storm today. Once it is safe for them to return to return home, the team here will provide all necessary support .