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Air Force Reserve fliers to return to Keesler

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jim Pritchett
  • Tech. Sgt. Jim Pritchett
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Biloxians who look to the sky Nov. 2 could see a steady flow of WC-130J and C-130J-30 aircraft bringing home the remainder of the 403rd Wing’s flying operations.

Wing reservists have been operating out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. since Hurricane Katrina plowed through Biloxi and the surrounding area in August.

“In the aftermath of Katrina, the 403rd Wing continued its dual missions of hurricane reconnaissance and tactical airlift without missing a single tasking,” said Col. Michael Underkofler, commander of Air Force Reserve Command’s 403rd Operations Group. “It was necessary to deploy our aircraft to Georgia as well as aircrew, maintenance and support personnel who kept operations going. It wasn’t possible for us to return home until damage assessments and relief efforts at Keesler slowed down.”

Hurricane Hunters from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron have continued to fly tropical storms and hurricanes during one of the busiest and costliest seasons on record. In addition, the wing’s 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the Flying Jennies, provided airlift support and even flew relief missions back to their home base. Maintenance teams kept the aircraft running, and support people took care of all the needs of those deployed. About 150 reservists and civilians were deployed at any time.

“The 403rd Wing is made up of reservists and civilian employees, most of who live in and are a part of this community,” Colonel Underkofler said. “Despite the fact many of our people lost everything to Hurricane Katrina, they all returned to work quickly and pitched in to support their neighbors on the Gulf Coast and throughout the Atlantic basin by providing vital data to the National Hurricane Center that increased the accuracy of forecasts by 30 percent.

“Now that we have the infrastructure to support our mission and our people at Keesler, we’re bringing the rest of our family home,” he said.

Lt. Col. Brian Freeman, the detachment commander at Dobbins, praised his people for their ability to excel in these circumstances.

“It’s been a monumental achievement continuing operations at Dobbins,” he said. “But now that the infrastructure can support us, it’s time to bring us back home so we can begin rebuilding our lives and continue our mission at Keesler.” (AFRC News Service)