McChord receives Alaska-based Airmen, aircraft as precaution to volcano

Airmen inspect an Air Force Reserve Command C-130J Hurricane Hunter at McChord Feb. 2. Three C-130J and five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft relocated from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to McChord this weekend in light of increased activity associated with Mount Redoubt, located 106 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Abner Guzman)

McChord receives Alaska-based Airmen, aircraft as precaution to volcano

Published Feb. 2, 2009
By 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Airmen at McChord Air Force Base are receiving a precautionary redeployment of Air Force aircraft from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska to McChord Air Force Base. The aircraft and approximately 200 Airmen who operate and maintain them are being temporarily relocated in light of increased activity associated with Mount Redoubt volcano, located approximately 100-miles from Elmendorf AFB.

Three Air Force Reserve Command C-130Js on assignment from Mississippi to Alaska relocated to McChord Saturday; three Pacific Air Forces C-17s will arrive at McChord late tonight. Other aircraft may arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours. McChord leadership anticipates the redeployment to last two to four weeks at a minimum.

McChord's own C-17 strategic airlift mission makes the base ideally suited to host the relocated aircraft and allows the Elmendorf Airmen to continue to meet mission and training requirements.

"Our ability to quickly receive additional air power on short notice and continue to support the nation's worldwide strategic airlift requirements is a capability long-associated with McChord," said Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, McChord's 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "We've supported evacuations in the past, and we will gladly support our fellow Airmen from Elmendorf as long as they need us."