News>Andrews Reserve wing prepares for Hurricane Sandy
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A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, takes off as another one taxis onto the runway, in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct.28, 2012. The planes were evacuated to a location away from any affects of the storm as to protect these valuable national assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katie Spencer)
Airmen from the 459th Air Refueling Wing prepare to launch the KC-135 Stratotankers in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct.28, 2012. The planes were evacuated to a location away from any affects of the storm as to protect these valuable national assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis)
Airmen from the 459th Air Refueling Wing prepare to launch the KC-135 Stratotankers in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct.28, 2012. The planes were evacuated to a location away from any affects of the storm as to protect these valuable national assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katie Spencer)
Airmen from the 459th Air Refueling Wing prepare to launch the KC-135 Stratotankers in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct.28, 2012. The planes were evacuated to a location away from any affects of the storm as to protect these valuable national assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis)
The last of the KC-135 Stratotankers of the 459th Air Refueling Wing taxis onto the runway in preparation of Hurricane Sandy, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct.28, 2012. The planes were evacuated to a location away from any affects of the storm as to protect these valuable national assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Katie Spencer)
10/28/2012 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The 459th Air Refueling Wing is evacuating its KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.
Air Force Col. William H. Mason, wing commander of the 459 ARW, authorized the movement of the planes to a location away from any affects of the storm to protect these valuable national assets.
"An early evacuation of the aircraft is important because I want to allow my reservists and civilian personnel the opportunity to return to their families in order to ensure the safety of their families and pets before the storm arrives," said Mason.
The aircraft will return to the base at a date to be determined.
