Last month Offutt AFB evacuated eight RC-135 Rivet Joints and one E-4B Doomsday plane after the base and the surrounding areas affected by flood waters.
McConnell Air Force Base officials ordered the evacuation of 13 aircraft, including 3 KC-46A tankers, as a precaution due to the possibility of severe weather impacting the Wichita area.
The aircraft were dispersed to Fairchild AFB, Washington. Fairchild AFB is a “safe haven” base, which was chosen for its location, out of danger from the storm, its ability to house displaced McConnell personnel, and provide maintenance for McConnell’s aircraft.
According to McConnell AFB’s News Release, base personnel is not being evacuated. All personnel should take the proper precautions to prepare for the threat of inclement weather by safeguarding their residences, stocking important supplies, and finding shelter.
Aircraft and personnel impacted by the evacuation will return when it is safe to do so.
Last month Offutt AFB evacuated eight RC-135 Rivet Joints and one E-4B Doomsday plane after the base and the surrounding areas were affected by floodwaters.
Half of the Rivet Joint aircraft was flown to Nebraska’s Lincoln Air National Guard Base and the other half to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Instead, Global Strike Command did not tell where the E-4B was located, citing operational security reasons.
Roughly 3,000 feet of Offutt AFB runway were submerged.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker
