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NAS Jax Prepares for Hurricane Season

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060503-11
Release Date: 5/3/2006 10:32:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class Mike England, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville's leaders and first responders are participating in the Atlantic Fleet Hurricane Tracking and Warning Exercise (HURREX) April 24-May 5 in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.

The exercise is being conducted by U.S. Fleet Forces Command to provide afloat and shore-based Atlantic Fleet commands and other Department of Defense activities with the opportunity to test their disaster preparedness capabilities.

“The HURREX gives us the chance to make sure we've got the tools and equipment necessary for us to weather a hurricane," NAS Jax Fire Chief Randy Hall said. "All of our procedures are reviewed for compliance and recall rosters; next of kin information and safe haven addresses are checked to ensure we can get a hold of and account for people."

Exercise participants are being tested by three simulated tropical systems that have developed and intensified to hurricane strength during the last two weeks, threatening the Caribbean Islands, U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast regions. One of the simulated storms is threatening Northeast Florida and NAS Jax, prompting the command to stand up its emergency operations center (EOC) and implement its disaster preparedness plan.

Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Matthew Melott, NAS Jax's disaster preparedness officer, said the HURREX is a valuable training tool for everyone at NAS Jax because it allows the station to cycle through the hurricane conditions.

“We're testing our plans, ensuring that all of our equipment and procedures are in compliance with Navy regulations and practicing a new mustering technique,” Melott stated. “Everyone participates by mustering when we set Hurricane Condition I. Commands need to work on mustering and knowing where their people are regardless of whether they are civilians or Sailors.”

For shore facilities, five hurricane conditions exist, forecasting the approximate time until the onset of winds greater than 50 knots. For ships, three sortie conditions exist. Because the risk of damage is greater when ships remain tied to the pier, it's much safer for them to ride out the storm at sea. Aircraft are also relocated to pre-designated alternate sites. However, military aircraft and ships in port have not been evacuating for this exercise.

“This drill is primarily meant for crisis management teams and base leaders, so no one will see fire trucks and police vehicles racing down the road with their lights flashing and sirens blaring,” Melott said.
Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NLMOC) Norfolk is originating the exercise tropical cyclone warning messages, as well as divert recommendations to ships underway and threatened by exercise tropical cyclones. NLMOC will assume a greater role in NAS Jax's disaster prevention efforts after the station's local weather facility, Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Facility (NLMOF) Jacksonville closes June 2.

The impending closure of NLMOF is only one in a series of changes designed to streamline the Navy's crisis management procedures. At NAS Jax, the station's crisis managers are taking steps to improve their response.

“We've looked at the problems we and other bases in the region experienced last year and have made efforts to address the shortfalls,” said Hall. “We now have the 1-800-849-6024 number for evacuees to call to get information and a long-range plan to get essential missions and operational support structures up and running, so we can get people back to work and make sure the base can do its part in our national defense,” Hall stated.

Despite all the attention that's being given to preparing the base for the perfect storm, base officials ask that NAS Jax's Sailors and civilians not neglect their own personal hurricane plan.

“It’s critically important that everyone make individual preparation a high priority,” said NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson. “No amount of preparation from the federal, state and local governments can completely take care of a family’s needs. Preparation from every household can go a long way. Augmenting government support with basic supplies is very important. Every household needs to come up with disaster plans based on their family’s circumstances and needs,” Dobson concluded.

For more information on what you can do to prepare yourself for a hurricane, contact the NAS Jax Disaster Preparedness Office at (904) 542-5595.