MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) — As Hurricane Helene churns toward the southeastern U.S., the Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up an incident support base in coordination with the 42nd Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base.
FEMA employees have been pre-staging equipment and life-sustaining commodities for distribution to areas that could be affected along the Gulf Coast. Since Sept. 24, more than 450 trucks loaded with essential supplies such as meals, water, cots and generators have arrived at a hurricane operations staging area on Maxwell AFB’s airfield.
“Maxwell has a vast airfield capable of supporting hundreds of trucks and equipment while also continuing air operations,” said Lt. Col. Ara Bartemes, Operations Support Squadron commander. “It’s great to work with our federal partners from FEMA and the U.S. Army of Corps Engineers, we’re always ready to support them when needed.”
— By Senior Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger, 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
