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Duke Field picks up new mission after Hurricane Dennis

  • Published
  • By Maj. Beena Maharaj
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  As Northwest Florida residents evacuated before the arrival of Hurricane Dennis, a 400-member contingent prepared to pull into Duke Field July 10 to begin relief efforts for storm victims as 120-mph winds waned.

Duke Field became a logistical staging area for the contingent made up of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Response Team, Florida Division of Forestry, Southern Area Incident Management Team, and the Florida National Guard.

“Ten months ago when Hurricane Ivan came through we had severe damage and no electricity,” said Master Sgt. Keith Free, 919th Special Operations Wing facilities manager.

“We stood up the staging area for the first time and provided lodging, food, communication equipment and a place to work for our guests,” he said. “We pulled everything together quickly this time around since Dennis pretty much spared Duke Field.”

The logistical staging area is the storage point for food, ice, water and other commodities before being shipped to various distribution points in the area. Half of the flightline parking spots that house the MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft went to hundreds of tractor-trailers filled with supplies – everything from baby food to bug spray.

“This is an opportunity for us to help our community in a time of great need,” said Col. Mark Kyle, 919th SOW commander. “I am proud to host the relief effort, and we are committed to providing the best possible support to make this humanitarian mission a success.”

The challenge for the Air Force Reserve Command wing this year is maintaining full flying operations while supporting the staging area, said Colonel Kyle.
In addition to Duke Field reservists offering infrastructure support, National Guard people are essentially the arms and legs of the operation. They are providing security and handing out much-needed supplies at various locations throughout the Florida Panhandle.

Trucks containing essential supplies started rolling on the morning of July 11 and within 48 hours more than 300 truckloads had reached affected areas.
“We know that the relief effort is never fast enough for the survivor who is suffering,” Justin DeMello, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “However, we can assure people that help has arrived and we continue to assist state and local governments in responding to these events.”

Duke Field officials anticipate relief operations at the base will continue until the end of July or start of August.