PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing has entered Hurricane Condition II (HURCON II) in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. HURCON II indicates the arrival of a storm with 58 m.p.h. sustained winds or greater possible within 48 hours.
All non-mission essential personnel will be released at 11 a.m. Oct. 5. Mandatory evacuation for personnel and residents on barrier islands, in manufactured homes and in slosh zones begins at 3 p.m., Oct. 5. Mission essential personnel will remain on duty until directed otherwise.
Reimbursable travel will be computed based on a maximum 350-mile radius and will cover lodging, mileage and food on a per diem basis.
Per diem is payable based on the locality rate as published by the per diem, travel and transportation allowance committee. If travel exceeds the directed radius, per diem and lodging will be limited to the standard CONUS rate, which will depend on the location. The per diem website is http://www.defense travel.dod.mil.
Commanders are authorized to release remaining personnel to include Unit Control Centers once HURCON II actions are accomplished to protect unit mission assets.
Wing leadership is coordinating preparation and response operations with Brevard County and NASA emergency management operations centers.
Other 45th Space Wing facilities on base, such as the Child Development Center and Youth Center are open today. However, hours will change after non-essential personnel evacuate Oct. 5. For example, the Riverside Dining Facility will close after lunch is served Oct. 5. More information will be announced as it becomes available.
Currently all base facilities and resources are operational. The PAFB/CCAFS leadership team is working closely with functional experts and Brevard County as this storm moves into our area and updates will be provided as appropriate.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Services Main Exchange is operating under normal business hours. AAFES plans to have hurricane based supplies to include: generators, tarps, batteries, and duct tape available today, Oct. 5. They can be reached at (321) 799-1300.
The AAFES Express (Gas Station) is also operating under normal hours and in a "top fill" status, which means they will have fuel available as a priority location. They can be reached at (321) 494-6686.
The Defense Commissary Agency, the base Commissary, plans to have pallets of water and hurricane supplies as well. They are operating under normal business hours and can be reached at (321) 494-5841.
The Patrick AFB Medical Clinic Pharmacy service closed at 10 a.m. Oct. 5. Pharmacy and medical care questions can be directed to Express Scripts at 1-866-363-8779 or Humana Military HealthCare Services at 1-800-444-5445.
Wing leadership will meet again this afternoon for a storm update and status check on base facilities and equipment.
For more information and updates on the status of Hurricane Matthew, visit www.patrick.af.mil, www.facebook.com/45SpaceWingatPatrickAirForceBaseFla, www.twitter.com/45thspacewing or contact the PA office at (321) 494-5933. Base personnel can call the 45th SW Emergency Information Line at 1-800-470-7232.
Base personnel should continue to update and/or monitor their contact and location information status via the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS) at https://afpaas.af.mil every four hours for updates.
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.brevardcounty.us/EmergencyManagement/Preparedness
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
http://www.patrick.af.mil/Units/Hurricane-Information
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes