Typhoon Nari heads for Okinawa

  • Published
  • By Maj. Dani Johnson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The second typhoon of the season, Typhoon Nari, is on track to pass over Okinawa according to base weather officials.

"Right now it should hit the island sometime Friday evening with 45 knot winds gusting to 65 knots and should last until early Saturday morning," said Capt. Jonathan Wilson, 18th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "While not as big or strong as Man-Yi (typhoon that hit the base in July), it is still a significant."

According to the weather flight the storm gathered strength quickly, accelerating base preparation.

At a Team Kadena typhoon strike meeting Sept. 14, operations and maintenance officials from the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army discussed the base plan for protecting aircraft and other assets.

Base F-15s, HH-60s and the 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion high value equipment as well as any non-mission capable aircraft will be sheltered in hangars and protective aircraft shelters on base. Larger base aircraft, the KC-135, RC-135, MC-130, P-3 and E-3 will evacuate to various locations throughout the Pacific.

Across base, units are preparing their facilities to withstand high winds by securing loose equipment and moving what can be moved indoors. Family housing members are also tying down outdoor living items that cannot be placed inside.

"The most important thing is the safety of our military members and their families," said Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, 18th Wing commander, during the typhoon strike meeting. "We can replace equipment but we cannot replace our most valuable asset. Remind everyone to be safe and smart while preparing for the storm."

In July, Okinawa was hit by Typhoon Man-Yi and experienced winds gusting up to 105 mph. The base damages were primarily foliage and trees with some buildings needing minor repairs.