Elmendorf prepares for possible Mt. Redoubt eruption

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Erin Slaughter
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  With the threat of an eruption at Mount Redoubt, located 106 miles southwest of Anchorage, people throughout Elmendorf AFB are preparing for the possibility of volcanic ash fall. 

Preparations began after the Alaska Volcano Observatory and the U.S. Geologic Survey issued a volcanic activity notice Jan. 25, changing the Volcano Alert Level at Mount Redoubt to a "Watch" and the Aviation Color Code to "orange." 

According to the notice, seismic activity  at Mt. Redoubt had increased markedly, and this activity could be precursory to an eruption, perhaps within hours to days. 

Wing agencies immediately began identifying precautions and readiness measures to protect the wing's people and other resources. 

"Team Elmendorf leadership has been very proactive in addressing prudent planning actions to ensure our ability to support the installation mission, our installation community, and the local community. These are all priorities that we are fully capable of achieving," said Lt. Col. Dean Hartman, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron commander.

The readiness staff at the civil engineer squadron sent out preparedness information to increase individual awareness. This information is now available on the base public website at www.elmendorf.af.mil. 

Communications squadron officials also notified employees that they must shut down and use plastic to cover all electronics equipment at the end of the each duty day. Direction stated that action must be taken at the close of each duty day until it is directed otherwise, as volcanic ash can be extremely damaging to electronics. 

Precautions continued when officials decided over the weekend to reposition the C-17 fleet to McChord Air Force Base in Washington.

"We are taking this precaution to ensure these high demand assets are available to U.S. Transportation Command when needed," said Colonel Richard Walberg, 3rd Wing Vice commander.

This effort included more than a hundred people throughout the base. Agencies across the wing including the legal office, personnel, chaplains, finance and services established a processing line starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Joint Mobility Center to make sure all Airmen leaving with the jets were prepared for departure.

"The attitudes both of the people on the PDF line and the Airmen who were processing were amazing," said Master Sgt. Francisca Gutierrez, 3rd Mission Support Squadron career advisor who acted as OIC for the processing line. "We were there to help them prepare, but they were ready, and they were ready to help each other."

She also said she was impressed that so many squadron commanders and chiefs, along with Colonel Walberg and Chief Master Sgt. Gerard Cappello, 3rd Wing command chief, checked on the people preparing to leave.

"It proves that we are one great team," said Sergeant Gutierrez. "It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to work side by side with such professionals."

In addition to the Airmen staffing and processing at the Joint Mobility Center, many others came in during sub-zero temperatures on Super Bowl Sunday to get the jets ready to go. The aircraft departed Sunday night and Monday morning.

"Through various initiatives, including senior leader planning sessions, media outreach to the installation community, and preparation to enact applicable emergency response plans, Elmendorf is postured to successfully respond to and recover from a potential eruption event," said Colonel Hartman.

Although the prediction is that the ash cloud will be of limited accumulation and duration should an eruption occur, officials recommend the following actions: 

 Non-essential personnel and dependents are urged to stay at home should an ash cloud affect the area.
 Individuals should limit outdoors activities and remain in their homes until the ash cloud has settled.
 Residents should keep external doors and windows closed and close vents to provide additional safety margins.
 Residents who believe their home is uninhabitable should call 552-0101 to ensure the Elmendorf Fitness Center staging area has been opened, then proceed to the Fitness Center for further guidance as soon as possible to avoid being outdoors while the ash cloud is affecting the area.

General information about volcanic ash is also available at the U.S. Geological Survey web site at www.volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/.

For the most current information from Alaska Command, see http://www1.apan-info.net