PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- This morning at 9:15 a.m. I declared Hurricane Condition I (HURCON I) in preparation of Hurricane Irma. HURCON I indicates surface winds in excess of 58 mph could arrive within 12 hours.
Last night, our teams finished final preparations to ensure all base facilities were safely secured and all personnel had evacuated to designated safe havens.
I have established Hurricane Response Teams and Crisis Action Teams that will ride out the storm in designated safe buildings on PAFB, CCAFS and KSC allowing us to maintain the security of our installations and to reduce the time we'll need to return to normal operations. We will assess any damage after the storm and determine when it is safe to resume operations.
If you were ordered to evacuate, and qualify (military and government civilians in designated evacuation zones), reimbursable travel will be computed based on a maximum 1000-mile radius and will cover lodging, mileage and food on a per diem basis.
Please continue to update Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS) at https://afpaas.af.mil and stay in touch with your chain of command for post hurricane information.
I know everyone is eager to get back and check on their belongings, but I urge you to be patient. We have a professional team with the right knowledge and dedication to get you timely, accurate information and make sure the base is safe for your return as quickly as possible.
I can’t thank you enough for staying resilient and positive during all of our preparations and taking the evacuation seriously. It is because of each and every one of you that we are the world's premier gateway to space.
Please follow https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/, https://twitter.com/45SWAlert and www.patrick.af.mil for the most up-to-date information.
I promise to update you soon, stay safe team.
VR
Shark 1
Wayne R. Monteith, Brig Gen
Commander, 45th Space Wing