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USTRANSCOM Evacuates Families and Pets to NAS Pensacola

Story Number: NNS161003-36Release Date: 10/3/2016 9:29:00 PM
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From Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Four C-17 and two C-130 aircraft from U.S. Transportation Command relocated approximately 700 spouses and children, along with 65 pets, from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB), Cuba, to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla, yesterday, Oct. 2. The NAS Pensacola commanding officer, Captain Christopher Martin, met the planes as they arrived. Shuttle busses carried the evacuees to quarters where they will live until it is safe to return to NSGB.

As of today, Oct. 3, NSGB is in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1 and is receiving bands of weather from Hurricane Matthew. Hurricane force winds are expected by tomorrow afternoon.

Approximately 4,800 personnel remaining behind at NSGB have sheltered in place or have moved to a designated shelter depending on the storm rating for their assigned housing. The base is communicating with personnel via the Armed Forces Network, social media, and all-hands emails. Once it is safe to do so, personnel will conduct a damage assessment and begin the process of recovery.

Emergency Family Assistance Centers (EFAC) are open at NAS Pensacola and will be opened at NS Guantanamo Bay to assist families with their needs. NAS Pensacola provided contact information for the EFAC to the evacuees when they arrived at the installation.

Personnel needing assistance can visit www.navyfamily.navy.mil and complete a needs assessment. A Navy family counselor will make contact and provide assistance.

 
RELATED PHOTOS
Families settle into their seats aboard a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft for evacuation from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) ahead of Hurricane Matthew.
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161002-A-RC774-085 NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Oct. 2, 2016) Families settle into their seats aboard a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft for evacuation from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Approximately 700 spouses and children were evacuated to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. NSGB tenant commands continue to make preparations for Matthew. Hurricane Condition of Readiness 2 (COR II) was set base-wide in preparation for destructive winds within 24 hours. Base residents were reminded on the importance of being prepared with essential supplies and were advised to remain within their residence until the "all clear" was passed. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Frederick H. Agee)
October 2, 2016
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