Evacuated aircraft return to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall's F-22 Raptors returned to Tyndall Aug. 31 after Hurricane Isaac completed its sweep of the Gulf Coast region.

The F-22s were evacuated to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas Aug. 26, a move designed to protect $2 billion in aircraft and materials should the storm strike Tyndall full-force.

The 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard, along with the 80th Flying Training Wing, hosted the jets and approximately 40 personnel after a flight of more than 700 miles. The aircraft arrived there mid-afternoon Sunday.

The large number of aircraft and personnel all at once could prove challenging, but Airmen rely on extensive training through base exercises designed to prepare them for a real-world hurricane event.

"We use exercises to practice this very scenario," said Lt. Col. Travis Koch, 43rd Fighter Squadron commander. "We have trained and prepared for this so the evacuation was smooth and well-organized. It went off without a hitch.

"Also, not every F-22 departed the installation. A few were able to be sheltered in a hangar here," he said.

Additionally, housing the F-22s at Sheppard provided an opportunity for F-22 maintenance students and students undergoing pilot training there to view the jet up close and learn more about the plane they will be working on or flying when they graduate.

"This is a kind of two-way street this trip," Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Grizzard, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent said. "A lot of the guys that came out have friends here who are instructors. Through those contacts we brought out about 190 students to give them some familiarization on the jet. We've also gotten the chance to go over and see the maintenance simulators the students work on, which allows us to see exactly what the students have worked on before they get out to us in the field."

Colonel Koch also noted the training opportunities the evacuation created, keeping aircrew members busy during their time away.

"We've had our maintainers show some of the maintenance students the aircraft," he said. "This will give the students an idea of what they will be working on when they come out to the field. In addition to maintenance students, we also had flying training students come take a look. Many of them will be arriving at Tyndall soon to continue their training in this airframe."

The evacuation also gave Tyndall's Airmen a chance to continue some of their own training.

"We still had meetings to attend and paperwork to complete, and a few studied or worked on their briefing skills giving tours to students," said Colonel Koch.
Sheppard's fire department was also able to conduct training, giving them realistic hands-on experience in recovery operations.

Colonel Koch was impressed by the professionalism and hospitality from Sheppard Airmen despite the short notice nature of the evacuation.

"Everybody here has been exceptionally helpful," Colonel Koch said. "The base has been very accommodating and made us feel right at home."

Flying at Tyndall was suspended Tuesday and Wednesday, however, academics and classroom instruction continued. Students returned to flying training Thursday and Friday, with the aircraft which were able to remain here during the storm.

(82nd Training Wing Public Affairs contributed to this report.)