PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Sharks and Mission Partners
Team, I have declared Hurricane Condition II (HURCON II) as of 9:00 p.m. today. As we enter HURCON II, we continue to monitor Hurricane Irma's progress. HURCON II indicates surface winds in excess of 58 mph could arrive in the area of the base within 24 hours. It is imperative you continue taking care of each other and yourselves.
Yesterday, I ordered a mandatory evacuation for all base personnel and residents in evacuation areas A-D. In conjunction with the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center order, and as a result of the potential safety risks associated with Hurricane Irma, I directed all individuals assigned to, residing, or present on Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Joint Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex to evacuate the base by noon today and the barrier islands by 8 p.m.
To ensure you have plenty of options for safe haven, I approved reimbursable travel based on a maximum 1000-mile radius and will cover lodging, mileage and food on a per diem basis. Finance is prepared to assist you upon your return.
Your leadership team is meeting 2-3 times a day for situation updates, to review personnel accountability and check on the status of base facilities and equipment. We are coordinating preparation and response operations with Brevard County and NASA emergency management operations centers. We are also in contact with state and federal officials.
I ask that you continue to update and/or monitor your contact and location information status via the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS) at https://afpaas.af.mil. This website is designed to help Air Force personnel and their families directly affected by natural and manmade disasters. A Common Access Card is not required for logging into the website.
I recommend you follow these sites for the most up-to-date information: http://www.patrick.af.mil/Units/Hurricane-Information/, https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/.
Stay safe and please feel free to reach out to me on one of our communication platforms. We are here for you.
VR
Shark 1
Wayne R. Monteith, Brig Gen
Commander, 45th Space Wing
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